In a fractured, war-torn North America ruled by fascist regimes, a shapeshifting smuggler known as Coyote takes on a perilous mission to infiltrate a secret prison camp and rescue her client's sister, using violence and cunning as her tools. The novella delivers a fast-paced, gritty tale of antifascist resistance, exploring themes of survival, rebellion, and the moral complexities of meeting brutality with brutality.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a fractured, post-collapse North America, the story follows Coyote, a shapeshifting runner known for her violent resistance and willingness to take on dangerous jobs. The world is depicted as a dystopian landscape divided by war, drones, bioweapons, and fascist regimes, with territories like Mexi-Federal, Cascadia, Transcanada, and Lindyland. The central plot revolves around Coyote being hired by Marge to rescue Marge’s sister from a secret prison camp deep in enemy territory, a mission that requires Coyote to get herself captured as part of the plan. The novella is described as pulpy, action-packed, and extremely gory, with a focus on antifascist themes and a protagonist who embodies direct, often brutal resistance to oppression.

Readers praised the book for its fast-paced, non-stop action and vivid, immersive world-building. The protagonist, Coyote, was frequently highlighted as a strong, competent, and compelling character, with some comparing her to Vi from Arcane or the protagonist of Murderbot, but with more violence and gore. The book’s unapologetic antifascist stance and willingness to meet violence with violence resonated with many, as did its gritty, pulpy tone and over-the-top adventure elements. Several reviewers enjoyed the dark humor, the depiction of resistance, and the way the narrative did not shy away from the realities of fascist violence, while still providing moments of heart and camaraderie. The novella’s length was also noted as appropriate for the story, and some readers expressed interest in future installments.

Some readers found the book difficult to follow, especially in the first half, citing dense world-building, unfamiliar terminology, and a lack of introductory context or a glossary. There were comments that the main character was less interesting than some of the side characters, and that the repeated emphasis on shifter abilities became tiresome. Excessive swearing was mentioned as detracting from the reading experience for some, and a few readers felt that the story’s pacing and information density required them to reread sections to fully understand what was happening. A minority of reviewers did not enjoy the book at all, and some expected more explicit antifascist action or a deeper exploration of the themes.

The book was published on February 25, 2025, as a novella in the science fiction and dystopian genres, authored by Lilith Saintcrow. It is the first entry in the 'Amazing Tale of Antifascist Action' series and was released by Kevin Hearne’s new imprint, with some readers receiving advance copies through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program. The average reader rating is 4.11 out of 5, based on 36 ratings and 16 full reviews. The narrative is set in a world where shifters and humans coexist amid ongoing civil war, and the story is noted for its political relevance and commentary on contemporary issues.