Devi Morris is the woman I've always been looking for in science fiction. In fact, I'd be proud to be her wife! I'd hang on her arm, let her drag me around the floor to meet her past buddies or whatever, give her doe eyes all night. Guys. This space opera was a delight to read simply because of Devi's unapologetic attitude. She makes the tough calls, she's not afraid to shoot first, and she doesn't apologize for being a woman in a man dominated field. As dumb as it sounds, it's nice to read about a woman who doesn't try to be "one of the guys." 
 So Devi is considering quitting her job as squad leader in an elite private army. Why? Because she made it to the top and didn't want to take a desk job. She has big plans for her life; none of them include becoming a pencil pusher. After a lead from her friend (who happens to work in the government), she learns that a "cursed" captain is looking for a new security team and working on his ship is worth more experience than someone can shake a stick at. See, Devi wants to become a Devastator-personal guards of the king she currently serves-and they only accept highly experienced individuals. Full of pride and ambition, Devi decides to kick her career into high gear. 
 Captain Brian Cadswell is a trader and needs a crack team to protect his cargo and his crew. Unlike other space operas, his crew is fairly competent and not entirely ragtag. They're onstage as much as they need to be to progress the book and each have separate personalities; in fact, the navigator and doctor become fairly enjoyable halfway through. 
 While Devi balances ship life and working with a supposedly incompetent partner, she runs into a distraction-Rupert, the ship's cook. As a space opera, I expected a romance but I wasn't expecting it to fall completely flat. Rupert is likable to an extent. He's better when he's chatting with Devi and not trying to be mysterious. In fact, there were many times I caught myself rolling my eyes and thinking, "Calm down, Edward and Bella." Although Rupert rejects Devi because he's "dangerous," Devi does something amazing. She picks herself up and carries on like a real, adjusted, and mature woman. Brownie points for you, Rachel Bach! 
 She throws herself into her work like no one else. Devi's love of her job comes across almost every paragraph when her armor or guns or mentioned. Lovingly customized, named, and carried-this chick knows her stuff and loves to show it off. And loves to show that she knows how to use it. 
 When Devi is attacked by an invisible tentacle monster (let me say, she held her ground well against something she couldn't see) and her armor's video records wiped, she knows something is going on. As a mercenary with an army background, she knows better than to question her captain, but she's not dumb-she's a breath of fresh air!-and has her own way of getting information. It's a game of cat and mouse between her, Cadswell, and Rupert with all the secrets that come to a head when she's sent to explore a ghost ship. 
 Now before you get too attached, let it be known the ending is cheap. Incredibly cheap and unfair. But with two more books in the series, perhaps it's all cleared up. If you're looking for a well written, engaging, and bright space opera, this is the one. I'm definitely going back to Devi's world for more.