Vermilion Flames by Adam Fernandez

SPSFC 2024

In the shadow of a ruined Earth, the Republic and its church claim to offer safety and security while burning ideas and people alike. No moon or planet is free of flames and bloodshed, even as the rebel organization, the Vermilion Coalition, seeks to dismantle the Republic’s oppressive regime. On a terraformed Mercury, Kaya al Vardan hopes to find the truth behind her mother’s murder; a difficult task when everyone insists it was a tragic accident. When Kaya’s adventurous spirit leads her into the forbidden Great Desert, she’s sent to the Republic’s capital on Mars to study under the watchful eye of the all-powerful church she despises. There she unravels mysteries about her mother’s life and faces a choice: fall in line or risk everything to take up her mother’s mantle. Silas Beckett, High Commander of the Pandora Fleet and hero of the Republic, can feel his time running out. Fighting terrorists has been his life’s mission, but his nemesis Hex—leader of the Vermilion Coalition—still eludes him. As his failures mount and his allies abandon him, he has few chances left to bring Hex to justice. Can Silas secure peace for his family and for the entire solar system? Vermilion Flames is the first book in the Midnight War series, an action-filled epic set long after the destruction of Earth.

Adult • Science Fiction/Military SF • Science Fiction/Space Opera

Reviewed by lamichi writer on 2025-03-04T05:01:15Z:

Interesting worldbuilding and I liked the decision of making the space empire a theocracy including overzealous warrior priests. As expected for a space opera, we get court intrigue, action and a strong ending. Good read.