Havoc

This fast-paced space adventure is a worthy sequel to 2013’s Perdition. The Conglomerate uses the mothballed starship Perdition as an oubliette, consigning criminals, monsters, and the inconvenient to lifelong imprisonment there and avoiding the inconvenience and messiness of executions. When the Conglomerate finds a new use for Perdition—one that requires it to be uninhabited—heavily armed and armored mercenaries begin a deadly sweep through the ship. They are led by Vost, a man as desperate as any of Perdition’s prisoners. Gang leader Dresdemona “Dred” Devos is determined to lead her people to safety, but her mob of killers, madmen, and discarded victims is woefully under-equipped, and some of them may pose a greater threat to her than Vost’s soldiers. Dred’s efforts to save her followers and herself may lead only to a new and equally desperate situation. Some of Aguirre’s characters are simply monstrous, but most have intriguing, complex histories and motives, and she brings them together for a raucous tale of grit and gumption. (Sept.)