When the Guns Roar (Siobhan Dunmoore VI) – Eric Thomson

After finally convincing her squadron commander on the merits of wolfpack tactics, Dunmoore leads increasingly daring raids into Shrehari territory, culminating in a decisive battle.

Again as in the previous instalment, this is a fun read, but the real risk to life and limb seems rather abstract, with character assassination the main threat.

When the Heavens Went on Sale: The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach – Ashlee Vance

Following on from Mr. Vance’s biography of Elon Musk, the author delves into the emerging explosion of commercial launch and satellite companies. The focus is on Astra, Rocket Lab, Planet Labs, and Firefly, with deep dives into the founders and their backgrounds.

While this is fascinating reading for space nerds, Mr. Vance keeps things accessible for the less space-devout reader, homing in on the personalities and conflicts involved rather than the technology itself.