A review by moiram
The Cruel Stars by John Birmingham

4.0

Five very disparate characters, ranging from a 12 year old princess to a 750 year old retired admiral, are destined to come together to try and save their civilization which is under attack, for the second time in 750 years, by an exiled group of racial purists. Despite having so many primary characters, their is sufficient backstory to bring these people vividly to life, and make you care about their fate. The secondary characters are equally diverse and interesting. This was my first John Birmingham book and I thoroughly enjoyed it.