A LONE OUTLAW, HAUNTED BY HER PAST, WITH ALL THE MULTIVERSE AGAINST HER…
Sometimes the fate of entire worlds can be decided by a woman with nothing to lose, and the smartest gun in the multiverse in her hand…
This is the story of Bess – or Dog-Bitch Bess as she came to be known. It’s the story of the gun she carried, whose name was Wakeful Slim. It’s the story of the dead man who carried that gun before her and left a piece of himself inside it. And it’s the tale of how she turned from teacher, to renegade, and ultimately to hero.
This is also the tale of the last violent engagements in an inter-dimensional war – one of the most brutal the multiverse had ever seen.
This is how Bess learned the truth about her world. Came to it the hard way, through pain and loss and the reckless spilling of blood, and carried it with her like a brand on her soul. And once she knew it – knew for sure how badly she’d been used – she had no option but to do something about it.
From one of science fiction’s most original and revolutionary voices comes a tale like no other. Vengeance always comes with a price…
I thoroughly enjoyed M. R. Carey’s Pandominion duology, Infinity Gate and Echo of Worlds, when I read it about a year ago, and to have another standalone novel set in that same universe was an unexpected but pleasant surprise. You don’t have to read the duology before Outlaw Planet, but I would personally recommend doing so. I think it helps with the background, but also in understanding the nature of the characters you’re about to meet. Essentially, it’s possible to travel (step is the terminology in these novels) between different versions of Earth. Some are very similar to the world we know while others are vastly different. One of the key differences is that while most worlds have a dominant species, they aren’t always hominoid, and other creatures – some mammalian, some not – have come out on top. This particular version of Earth in Outlaw Planet hosts quite a variety of species, none of whom are quite dominant.
While I loved the original duology, I enjoyed the very different tone that Carey sets in this novel. Rather than being purely science fiction, we visit a world that hasn’t advanced technologically, and the vibe is that of an 1800s Western complete with sheriffs, outlaws, and pistols at dawn. It’s not entirely separate, however, and there are some incongruous elements to this setting that never quite let you forget the multiverse that’s out there. These are a mystery to most inhabitants on the planet and therefore a puzzle to the reader for much of the novel, although their relevance does become clear as the novel progresses.
The main protagonist is Elizabeth Indigo Sandpiper, Miss Bessie to some and Bess to most. At the outset of the novel, she’s a law-abiding young woman of canine descent who leaves home when her father’s bad investments render the family penniless. Determined to seek her own fortune, she becomes a teacher in a frontier town. As someone who’s led a relatively sheltered upbringing, she initially seems a little naïve, and yet Bess quickly shows herself to be a shrewd and capable individual, one who won’t be cowed into submissiveness. I liked her immensely.
Bess’s life changes irrevocably when a civil war between the northern and southern states (sound familiar?) begins and Bess’s lover, Martha, is killed by a bunch of irregulars chillingly referred to as the Reapers. Seeking revenge, Bess joins her own group, unfortunately falling on the side that would have been the Confederacy in our version of that civil war. It’s not an active choice, simply one that puts her in opposition to those who murdered Martha, but it is unfortunate when the reader wants to cheer her on. It makes her a complex character and something of an antihero, although she does step up and do the right thing when the opportunity presents itself. I found it impossible not to like her despite some of her more questionable actions. I particularly love the way she carves out a role in what is very much a man’s world, achieving fame and notoriety along the way.
Outlaw Planet is a really enjoyable novel, and I loved revisiting Carey’s multiverse, even if much of that is hidden from the reader for most of the novel. I liked the Western-style narrative that gave it a very different flavour to what I was expecting, and I enjoyed the parallels that are drawn between our past and Bess’s present. I also appreciated the hints that there was something else going on in the background, gradually explaining the elements of the narrative that are incompatible with Bess’s understanding of the world. It’s cleverly done, and builds to an excellent conclusion. Highly recommended.
Jo's Book Blog 
Fab review, Jo, glad you enjoyed it! x
Thank you, Nicki x
The world and idea of different versions of Earth sound interesting. Amazing review.
Thank you, Yesha. I’ve really enjoyed all three books.