In Discretion by Reesa Herberth

From the blurb: 

Thanson Nez thought his career as a Discretionary would take him to the stars, not strand him on a space station at the ass-end of the Empire. Thanks to his last client, he’s carrying a secret he can’t get rid of fast enough, but his oath to the guild means a swift, painful death if he shares it. Already desperate for help, he runs into yet more trouble: his ex, and an explosion that paralyzes the station moments after their uncomfortable reunion.

Kazra Ferdow, Station 43’s communications officer, is almost as blindsided by the return of his first love as he is by the sudden loss of power and life support. The station is a floating graveyard in the making, and something is turning its inhabitants into savage killers. Fighting human monsters and damaged tech, Kazra and Thanson must put aside their past long enough to try to save everyone.

The more light they shine into dark corners, the more Thanson realizes how many people might die for the secrets locked in his head—and what he’s willing to sacrifice to make sure Kazra isn’t one of them.

Review:

This is a fun, action packed novella that hovers brilliantly between tense action and narrative exposition.  The story opens up with Thanson, a male consort, landing on Station 43, an asteroid mining outpost, escaping the thoroughly unlikable and thuggish Misher.  Once on board, he runs into his ex - Kazra.  

With the Station's power failing and a mysterious zombie-esque virus infecting a large number of the crew, Kazra and Thanson go on a mission to the Station's core to try and reroute enough power to send a message for help.

As things go to hell around Thanson and Kazra, their history unfolds.  Thanson and Kazra were teenage loves, and it's fascinating to watch them navigate the pain of teenage heartache as adults.  Reesa Herberth does an excellent job of balancing the present action filled narrative with exposing tantalisingly bit by bit Kazra and Thanson's past.  

This is the first story I've read in the Ylendrian Empire universe.  It had a great flavour with some Firefly influences seeping through.  First of all, Thanson is a male companion, he is "a member of the Discretionary's Cohort...a respected trade guild," not unlike the Companion's Guild in the Firefly universe in style, training, and respectability.  Second, there was some phrasing which rang of Firefly lilt, such as "ass-end of the 'verse" and "Do you understand? If you don't, find me someone who does, sharp-like." 

The Firefly allusions work quite well in this story without overwhelming it.  

I really liked that neither main characters are white.  Kazra is described as having "olive skin" and Thanson as having "dark skin".  

There are a couple of political undertones, which add a richness to the story. There is a conversation in which Misher, a baddie, threatens to rape Thanson.  Misher, in excellent baddie style, likes to explain what he is going to do.  He makes it very clear that he has no interest in taking physical pleasure, he only wants to put Thanson in his place:  "I just want to put you in your place for once, and we both know that's below me."  This shows that the author is versed in the idea that rape is not about pleasure, it's about power.

Also in a political vein, I also enjoyed the critique of the corporation working to turn a profit rather than look after their people.  This is borne out in the observations made about Station 43 and the state of disrepair it's in, as well as inadequate safety measures - lives cost less than equipment.

The romance story line is teased out over the course of the novella and we have to wait to the very end for resolution.  But the ending is satisfying and well worth the wait.

This makes for an excellent Sunday afternoon read with a cup of tea.  Especially if you like zombies in space and m/m romance.

You can find out more about the series and the world by visiting the Ylendrian Empire website.

You can also follow the author, Reesa Herberth, on Twitter @reesah.

More Information:

Title: In Descretion
Author: Reesa Herberth

Publisher: Riptide
Publishing Date: 30 Dec, 2013
Length: Novella (30k)
Genre: Sci-fi/Romance
Type: m/m