Review: Trusting Justice

Trusting Justice by J.J. Lore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Telling the story from the loser side colours the book a bit more grey. For Sasha, the world is bleak and depressing. After two decades of oppression and being treated as less than intelligent, she finally clawed her way into a good spot. Or at least as good as it gets with aliens as the conquerors on Earth. She is basically a janitor at an Earther museum. She has barely enough to eat and a place of her own. This is several steps up from her original life, stealing for food and running with a crowd that definitely crossed the line of legal, with or without aliens. When her place in life is threatened, she thinks there is nowhere to turn because it isn't as if the aliens, Sion, will take the word of an Earthling. To her surprise, the investigator Sion, Dram Opano, is a bit more receptive to humans than other Sion.

This cross lifeform love interest starts out slow and brimming with distrust. This is to be expected as the two races definitely have unresolved issues that lead to hatred. I liked how the author showed the lack of trust between the two. The tentative actions which led to a bit more understanding and friendship is nicely done. This story does ramp up quickly as Dram and Sasha narrow down the real thieves. The twists and turns that take Sasha to her past is bittersweet. Sometimes the past is best remembered with fond nostalgia than to revisit in person and be disappointed. Still, Sasha's past helps her with skills needed to assist Dram and ultimate prove her worth.

This story is smooth with its transitions between past and present. The characters are likeable with their flaws and strengths, specifically their loyalty. It would be nice to have a bit more world building and for Ms. Lore to turn this into a series. There is potential for a dynamic world between humans and Sion. This book is recommended to space opera readers who enjoy a dystopian setting.

View all my reviews