Stronghand is the best character in Kate Elliot's Crown of Stars series
- arrives at an utilitarian philosophy of kindness and mercy
- dismantles oppressive aristocratic hierarchies
- satisfyingly distinct nonhuman pov
He starts at "hey these humans are a lot more productive if I let them take care of each other" and then swiftly moves to "treating people with kindness and respect makes them more loyal to me" and ends with "mercy is the freaking best", it's gr8
@storytam I need to finish that series! I started reading it soooo many years ago when I had no money and was dependent on the library, only it had no money either and never got in the whole series. But I've read and loved so much Elliot since then.
@storytam I LOVE her Jaran series. It is feels like a Heyer style romance, but in a sci-fi setting, and with a Genghis Khan style hero.
Word of warning, there are four books (I think) but the series is not yet finished. Really looking forward to her sci-fi version of Alexander
@dearbhla That sounds amazing! I'll have to check it out
@dearbhla Elliot is so great! I've only read Crown of Stars and Cold Magic but her world building is always so fascinating and distinct and often exhaustively researched. What else would you recommend from her?