"Straw Man" is a riveting and thought-provoking story that captivates from the first page to the last. Set against the backdrop of a fractured United States, the novel weaves a complex tapestry of power, freedom, and destiny that stretches beyond the stars. The author brilliantly juxtaposes the antiquated horrors of slavery against the limitless possibilities of space travel, creating a narrative that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally charged.

The use of CRISPR technology to illustrate the dark extremes of human manipulation is both chilling and mesmerizing, offering a stark commentary on the ethics of science without restraint. The Partisans, with their lush, oppressive splendor, emerge as formidable adversaries whose pursuit of power knows no bounds, not even the celestial limits.

Captain Jacqueline Stacey is a beautifully flawed protagonist, whose quest for redemption is as compelling as the interstellar journey she embarks on. Her character's depth and resolve make for an unforgettable lead who challenges the status quo with grit and heart.

The author's world-building is second to none, with the Anuradhapura carvings serving as a gateway to an expansive universe, ripe with conflict and potential. The action sequences are beautifully choreographed, propelling the story forward with intensity and purpose.

"Straw Man" is not just a tale of rebellion; it is an exploration of humanity's resilience and the undying quest for liberty. It is a novel that challenges the reader to reflect on past transgressions while inspiring hope for a future where freedom is the universal birthright. A must-read for anyone who cherishes a well-told story that reaches for the stars and beyond.

In the remnants of a United States torn asunder, the pro-slavery Partisans stand in stark contrast to the abolitionist Commonwealth. A new frontier beckons as ancient secrets within the Anuradhapura carvings are deciphered, revealing celestial pathways to worlds afar. The Partisans, draped in the opulence of their era, embark on a cosmic venture, seeding new civilizations with beings crafted by CRISPR—a dark science turning humans into mere chattel.

The Partisans' zeal leads them to shutter a cosmic gateway, isolating their stellar domain. Yet, as decades ebb, the cosmos conspires to reopen the interstellar juncture.

Enter Captain Jacqueline Stacey, a war criminal with a tarnished badge of honor. Freed from the dark abyss of prison, she's thrust through the wobbly portal with a crew of believers and an arsenal designed to ignite revolution. Her crusade is singular: shatter the chains of the engineered slaves, strafe the celestial plantations to dust, and hurl the Partisans from their high-powdered, wig wearings pedestals.

"Straw Man" unfurls a saga of atonement and insurrection, where the stars float in an inky tapestry marred by the scars of bygone transgressions, yet shimmer with the promise of emancipation. As Captain Stacey steers her course through the astral sea, the question lingers—will her odyssey forge a new legacy or will the infinite expanse bear witness to the persistence of tyranny?