Space Opera

Out of this world space thrills!

The Tournament by Kate Sheeran Swed

I’ve been on a sci-fi reading spree lately, and one name keeps popping up on my list of favorite authors: Kate Sheeran Swed. If you haven’t read her work yet, allow me to point you toward Phantom Station (one of my favorite reads for the year). That book had me hooked from page one, and I’ve been eagerly waiting for more in that series ever since. While I wait, I decided to explore more of Swed’s back catalog, and I’m so glad I did because that’s how I found The Tournament.

This book reminded me exactly why I love science fiction. Swed does something special that not every sci-fi author can pull off — she captures a sense of wonder and awe that comes with exploring space and the unknown. But what really excites me is when a story takes me on a journey where I’m not entirely sure where it’s going. I love the thrill of unpredictability, and The Tournament gave me just that.

Sure, there are hints of The Hunger Games with a competitive edge and high stakes, but The Tournament is definitely its own story. Swed adds enough twists and layers to keep the narrative fresh and engaging. The setting, the challenges, and the motivations of the characters all felt genuine and compelling.

The main character, in particular, really stuck with me. She’s flawed, she makes mistakes — a lot of mistakes — but that’s what makes her relatable. Her imperfections aren’t frustrating; they’re human. I found myself rooting for her precisely because she felt real and grounded.

And, of course, the way Swed evokes the vastness and mystery of space is what I love best about science fiction. There’s a sense of scale and possibility in her writing that makes me feel like I’m right there alongside the characters, experiencing the thrills.

If you’re a fan of sci-fi that isn’t the same old tired tropes, that blends action with genuine character development, and that sparks a sense of wonder, I highly recommend picking up The Tournament. Kate Sheeran Swed continues to impress me, and I’m absolutely a fan .

Now, back to waiting (im)patiently for the next installment of Phantom Station!