Back to the Stars by J.Z. Colby
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

All Quiet on the Western Front (or the stars).

Space separates the children from the grown-ups. Your age doesn't matter. If you are nine, and you are aiming your life toward standing on your own two feet and dealing with hard, cold reality, you are leaving childhood behind. (4)

"It's a time honored rule," Ilika began, "that a commander must have complete command to deal with unexpected situations, the ability to change any previous command or break any rule. Every emergency is different No one can anticipate what will be needed. That is one reason Manessa, who is only sentient, must have a sapient crew." (101)

The commander of the Manessa Kwi, an ex-slave who used to have lice in her hair, listened as each of her crew members gave status reports. (171)

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