The Upstream Writer: Reader's Review: "TYR" by N. R. Tupper

Synopsis from Amazon:

When a routine transport mission goes wrong, Captain Kai Brecken and her ragtag crew have to fight for their lives.

Murderous aliens and crooked Alliance soldiers aren't going to get in her way, but her conscience might. When they stumble upon an age-old secret, Kai and the crew must choose between saving themselves and re-igniting a war with grave consequences.

But are they interested in being heroes?
>>>>>>>>>

My Review:

I have one thing to say: Heck YES!

To put a girl in the position of pirate captain—and a young girl, at that—there is much temptation to turn her into a fully capable Mary Sue who is better, smarter, and faster than all the adults around her, and she always succeeds except when her humiliation makes a better story. Especially if her humiliation throws her at the mercy of a scruffy competitor that she dislikes at first, but the way he treats her at her lowest sparks admiration in her and they end up becoming partners/lovers (but she still likes to maintain she is better than him)...

Been there. It gets old FAST.

This one isn’t that. Kai Brecken is a young captain, but she isn’t super-skilled or “perfect.” She learned the trade of trafficking and smuggling/pirating when she became indentured to a group of pirates. They raised her and trained her, and when she was old enough, she claimed a ship of her own and set out on her own path. As it says near the very beginning of the book: "I went from living the life my parents wanted, to living the life the pirates wanted, and now I just want to live the life I want."

Unfortunately, Fate has other plans for Kai. She's got a crackerjack pilot, a knowledgeable biologist (who serves as the crew's medic as well), and several worthy crew members--and one seemingly inconspicuous mission goes absolutely sideways, leaving Kai with just her crew, lightyears outside her comfort zone, with threats closing in on every side--and it's going to take the skills of every last one of them to survive this trip!

Quite frankly, I loved it. There were shades of both Firefly and Farscape (not to mention a touch of Stranger Things, too!), but not in your typical "Gender-bent fanfiction" sort of way. Tupper plays it smart and creates a worthwhile story that sets itself apart, and utilizes fantastic world-building to draw curiosity away from being all about the main character (even though she is the narrator) and allowing the reader to build curiosity about other places and other characters. I loved the interactions between the characters, the "unspoken histories" that crop up from time to time, that really imbues a sense of relationship and closeness in the reader. It's a tight-knit group, and we're along for one heck of a ride!

The incredible imagery of the non-human beast-creatures was also a tantalizing feature! There are Moles, worm-like creatures that infiltrate and consume electrical systems; Snappers, the vicious, bloodthirsty hound-like quadrupeds; the main feature, though, are the Dreki--a race of dragon-like aliens capable of tearing entire ships in half and flying in space, and the real, unbeatable threat to humanity's attempts to settle the other planets in the solar system. It all comes together into a tantalizing feast for the speculative-ficton-loving soul!

With all that said, it should come as no surprise that I would definitely give TYR a full *****5 STAR***** rating, and couple that with an Upstream Writer Certified HEARTILY Recommended endorsement. If you're looking for a fantastic new series to follow, and you enjoy space-based adventures with colorful characters and don't mind intense bouts of violence--then N. R. Tupper is the new Author To Watch!

Further Reading: (Space Adventures/Strong Women Leaders)

-Countless As The Stars--Steve Trower

-The Secret King: Letháo--Dawn Chapman

-The Arena--Santana Young

The Untamed Series--Madeline Dyer
-Untamed
-Fragmented

The Jill Andersen Series--J. D. Cunegan
   -Bounty
   -Blood Ties
       -Behind the Badge

The Vemreaux Trilogy--Mary E. Twomey
       -The Way
   -The Truth
   -The Lie

-Songstruck--Sofia Black

-A Spell in the Country--Morgan Smith
-The Seventh Crow--Sherry D. Ramsey

The Fair Folk Chronicles--Jeffrey Cook and Katherine Perkins
  -Foul is Fair
  -Street Fair
    -A Fair Fight
        -All's Fair

The Cadeau Series--Connie Olvera
-Who Can You Trust?

Tales of the Fallen--Katika Schneider
-Devotion