Reviews
What Readers Are Saying
I was not prepared for how much this book would pull me in. The world Ra Dee has created feels fully realized, and the central relationship between Stafic and Maradish is written with real emotional depth. I read the second half in one sitting. That does not happen often.
— Martha C.
The kind of science fiction that makes you think, not just read. Ra Dee builds his universe carefully and lets the characters carry the story. The political structure of the Empire felt believable, and the personal stakes felt even more so. A genuinely impressive debut.
— Jerome T.
I did not expect to care this much about characters from another galaxy. But that is exactly what happened. The opening sequence is tense and well written, and by the time the story shifted into the history and background of the Empire, I was already invested. Well worth the read.
— Sandra O.
Ra Dee has a strong sense of pace. The book opens with immediate tension and does not let go. What I appreciated most was how the larger world of the Empire was revealed gradually, through the story rather than through explanation. That takes real skill.
— William D.
The worldbuilding in this book is serious and detailed without being overwhelming. You get the sense that Ra Dee knows every corner of this universe, and that confidence comes through in the writing. I found myself reading passages twice just to absorb everything.
— Patricia A.
I am a longtime science fiction reader and was pleasantly surprised by this one. It is not trying to be something it is not. It has a clear story to tell, tells it well, and leaves you wanting to know what comes next. I will be watching for the sequel.
— George H.
The relationship between the two main characters is what sets this book apart from a lot of science fiction I have read. The action is good. The world is interesting. But what kept me reading was wanting to understand what happened between Stafic and Maradish, and why.
— Carol N.
PERFIDY is a thoughtful book. It takes its universe seriously and takes its characters even more seriously. The themes of loyalty and betrayal are handled with care, and the ending left me with questions I did not mind having. That is exactly what I want from science fiction.
— Thomas B.
What I appreciated about this book is how grounded it feels despite the scope of the setting. A galactic empire could easily become abstract and distant, but Ra Dee keeps the focus on individuals, and the result is a story that feels personal even when the stakes are enormous.
— Dorothy K.
I picked this up expecting a straightforward adventure and got something more layered. The background and history of the Empire are genuinely interesting, and the main story is tense and well constructed. Ra Dee clearly put real thought into this, and it shows.