Marguerite Reed, “Archangel” (Arche Press, 2015)

New Books in Literature · Mar 30, 2016 · 23m

Marguerite Reed‘s Archangel (Arche Press, 2015) introduces a hero not often found at the center of science fiction: a mother, who takes cuddling responsibilities as seriously as she does the fate of her planet. Of course, Vashti Loren plays many roles besides Mom. She’s also a hunter, a scientist, a tour guide and the widow of a revered early settler. But Reed spotlights her relationship with her toddler, offering a protagonist who’s not only good with a gun but manages to get her kid to daycare on time. “So many protagonists, whether in science fiction or fantasy or adventure fiction or film…