Snodgrass is a favorite author, specifically for her Edge series. But this high-concept, space opera was wonderful. She's a far too little known gem in the world of science fiction. The book takes humankind into the universe as subjugators of other races and worlds, ending up as a strong social commentary for our own times. The narrative infuses much of her New Mexico culture while still maintaining the strong sci-fi concepts. There's corruption and intrigue, all laid over a coming of age story. And it's a bitRomeo and Juliet, too - born of Hogwarts, but so much better. I'm really hoping to get to the remaining novels in the series. ( )

The story of the oldest daughter of an emperor who has had the laws change to allow her to inherit in a patriarchal society. However she must attend (and graduate from) 'The High Ground', the military academy where all males of the upper class must attend for officer training.
It's also the story of an only son from a lower class family, in a society of large families, who has won a scholarship to 'The High Ground' but is not interested in military service.
As they both commence their military training, the two characters grow and learn in their new roles in society.
In the background of the story, there are hints of a larger battle against an alien force that is conquering the stars and turning matter into crystals. There are also hints that all the alien races that the Earth has subjugated so far are not happy with their treatment as second-class citizens/servants.
An enjoyable and well-paced read, however it did not delve deeply enough into character development and so the conflicts that came up did not always feel genuine. And the decisions that Mercedes made at the end felt a bit contrived.
Another confused element was the story at the end of the prologue that alludes to an identical twin taking the place of his brother. It did not appear to be referenced again in the book and so the scene just feels confusing and out of place.
( )

The emperor’s daughter/heir is the first woman to train at space academy in this future where a Spanish Catholic cultural aristocracy called the Fortune Five Hundred must send all the sons not destined for the church. The son of the Emperor’s tailor is unwillingly in her class and guess what, they hit it off. ( )