Review: The Heights of Perdition by C. S. Johnson

Space pirates, a captain named after a fantasy weapon, dystopia, and a healthy dose of sugary teen romance. What could go wrong?

Aeris “Aerie” St. Cloud, daughter of one General St. Cloud in the United Revolutionary States, which are underground in what is left of North America due to the corrupted atmosphere. Locked in a battle with the allied remnants of other governments in the east, the URS has no purpose for those who seek a life with things like “love” in it. Nevertheless, Aerie has joined the military to win her father’s affection and the respect of her “unit,” i.e. her family.

Meanwhile, aboard his vessel, the Perdition, Exton Shepherd is plotting revenge on the government that murdered his father. But before he can strike he must attend his sister’s wedding to his first officer and best friend. No matter how much of a beast he feels himself to be, Exton – better known as Captain Chainsword to the public living beneath Earth’s surface – must support his sister on her special day.

If only he could feel as honored in this matter as a regular man would.

The Story

Aerie would much prefer studying horticulture to being in the military but, as the daughter of General St. Cloud and with the threat of the government choosing her path for her, she decided that she would rather try her hand at becoming a pilot in the URS military. Unfortunately, her graduation sees her remanded to menial duty because she didn’t fulfill her final assignment. The task she was given for her graduation was to make plants that would work as a bio-weapon, But Aerie essentially told the brass it couldn’t be done, and so wrote up a far more sensible plan that would have seen the URS engineering plants to clean Earth’s atmosphere instead. This is what they rejected.

When her father refuses to stand up for her and tells her the decision won’t be challenged, Aerie sneaks outside to have a good cry. The weather currently lets some sunshine through the toxic clouds and she finds time to spend in the Memory Tree outside the underground city. The Memory Tree is so-called because it is the only surviving one in the above-ground metropolis under which the URS capital is built. Aerie also plays with a little feral kitten she half-adopted before deciding to go back in and try to make the most of her spoiled graduation day.

At that moment, however, an attack by the infamous Captain Chainsword occurs and she is snatched up along with the tree in his latest daring raid.

Exton Shepherd, disguised in his pirate gear and using his nom de guerre of Chainsword, is the one to find her tied to the tree. Aerie’s red hair not only gives her away but leads him to dub her a “sprite,” at least until she uses her combat training to throw him off her once he has cut her loose. Her further attempts to fight him end with him the winner, and he has her sent to medical so that she can be treated and won’t get sick out in space. But now what is he supposed to do with her? Sending her back could cause trouble but so will keeping her. The Divine Space Pirates aren’t in the habit of kidnapping people or taking prisoners. What are they supposed to do now that they have done both?

And why does this redheaded “sprite” make Exton feel so alive in a way he hasn’t before?

The Characters

As a female protagonist, Aerie is a breath of fresh air. She is trying to survive in a tyrannical system by doing her best to “fit in” at the same time she reflexively fights to keep her individuality and personality intact. Her combat skills are not the most impressive thing about her and, though she is competent, her greatest strength lies not in entering or fighting a battle. What makes her most interesting is her desire for and search to learn the truth – no matter how much she dislikes the answers that she may find.

Exton, for his part, is not nearly as much of a “bad boy” as he pretends to be. Nor is he the monster he likes to pretend he is, something that annoys those who know him best and makes readers like him even as they want him to stop faking his way through life. Since Aerie’s natural curiosity and sunny personality almost instantly gets her past Exton’s defenses, he tries to keep his distance from her. But this is a teen romance, so he ends up being too attracted to her to manage it. He makes for a very nice contrast to most dystopian protagonists for this reason.

The World

Most of the worldbuilding for Heights is done on the Perdition, and it is a very interesting look at what might be achieved with a biosphere in space. These parts of the world were particularly enjoyable for how thorough they were, since they illustrated how deeply the author considered her world. While the stock “repressive, tyrannical government” tropes hewed closely to the norm in some areas, the writer also took the time to shine a spotlight on the parts of tyrannical governments that are generally avoided in dystopic fiction – such as a disdain for God and a determination to call families “units”. In this, then, The Heights of Perdition is far more honest than many of its fellows when it comes to worldbuilding.

Politics

Politics really do not factor into the narrative, not unless “godless regime” versus “faithful resistance” counts as such. Beyond that, there are no politics to speak of at all.

Content Warning

Heights is very much a teen romance and, while not explicit, it does get steamy in a couple of scenes. Kissing occurs, as does cuddling and sleeping side by side, but it goes no further than that. Early on, Exton pointedly makes Aerie realize she is not as strong as him and implies that, if he was so inclined, he could take what he wanted from her. But the narrative shows this from his point of view to make it clear he has no intention of acting on his threat and is simply using it to emphasize that Aerie cannot win in a physical battle with him. These are the only parts that might discomfit a young reader or parent of same.

Who is it for?

Teens who like romance but want some space opera and dystopia on the side. Beauty and the Beast aficionados will enjoy it as well for the excellent use of the original story’s tropes, while space opera fans will love the worldbuilding. Anyone looking for a dystopia that is a bit more in-depth than many competing works in the genre will like that The Heights of Perdition demonstrates how social dynamics under a tyranny break down completely. The United Revolutionary States are not a fun place to live as they do their best to take away what makes people human on a fundamental level, and it makes this first installment in The Divine Space Pirates more interesting for that reason. Those who want a sweet romance could do worse than this novel as well, since while it gets hot in places, it is never explicit and easy to read.

Why buy it

Do you want inspiring heroines, strong heroes who know they are dangerous, and worldbuilding you can sink your teeth into? Then pick up The Heights of Perdition and start reading. Besides, the lead hero goes by the nom de guerre “Captain Chainsword.” You couldn’t ask for a better conversation starter than that!