Persephone Station

Leicht's Magnificent Seven riff in space is genuinely ambitious — an almost entirely female or non-binary cast, anti-colonialist themes, a rogue AI subplot, and fast mercenary action all in one package. The diversity of the ensemble is executed with craft, not tokenism, and the found-family dynamics land. The Emissary depiction risks the 'noble savage' trap despite its anti-colonialist intent, and the back half loses some momentum, but this is a worthy and distinctive entry in contemporary space opera.