Summary
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Looking for a good read? Here is a recommendation. I have an unusual approach to reviewing books. I review books I feel merit a review. Each review is an opportunity to recommend a book. If I do not think a book is worth reading, I find another book to review. You do not have to agree with everything every author has written (I do not), but the fiction I review is entertaining (and often thought-provoking) and the non-fiction contain ideas worth reading.
Book Review
Living by Saturn’s Rings
Reviewed by Mark Lardas
November 9, 2025
“Ringer,” by Joelle Presby, Baen Books, November 2025, 304 pages, $17.99 (paperback), $8.99 (E-book)
Calypso (Caly) Sadou is a Ringer. She lives in Chawla Station, a space colony in Saturn’S rings. She is in the Sadou family, overachievers who pioneered space in the early days and helped found Chawla Station.
“Ringer,” a science fiction novel by Joelle Presby, tells 12-year-old Caly’s story.
The Sadous remain the colony’s leaders, descendants of the First Crew that brought Chawla Station to Saturn. Her father is current head of the Chawla Council. Her grandparents are venerated member of the community.
Her parents must travel to Daphnis, another colony, to straighten out problems with First Crew embryo babies. Their adoptive parents died in a recent accident. These children are Chawla Station shareholders. Distant relatives see them as potentially wealthy prizes.
Her parents have no say in Chawla affairs when they are off colony. Normally they would take Caly, but they are worried about her grandparents. They are going sunsetter – senile. Caly stays behind to mind her grandparents, although they are her legal guardians.
The Sadous have enemies, including Mr. Petrie-Xi, her father’s deputy and political rival. Caly is a First Crew embryo gestated by her mother. Caly cannot her exercise citizenship rights until she passes the Maturity Test. Whomever is her guardian controls Caly and her potential fortune.
The Sadou’s rivals act to declare her grandparents as sunsetters. If so, the grandparents lose their votes and they cannot serve as guardians. Someone else will be appointed Caly’s guardian. The leading candidates are focused their own financial gain, not Caly’s best – or her family’s – best interests.
There is only one way for Caly to prevent this. At age 12 she must pass the Maturity Test and be declared adult. Those seeking to bring down her family will try to prevent it, but Caly is going to try.
This is not a girl-boss story. Caly is no Mary Sue. She sees herself as inadequate, measuring herself against two siblings more capable than she believes herself to be. She makes mistakes typical of a 12-year-old girl. Never in charge of the situation, she is barely able to stay ahead of the many crises that unfold.
That is what makes the book fun. Watching Caly refusing to yield to circumstances and trying to live up to what she views as the Sadou reputation. “Ringer” is a fun read, not just for young adults, but for all ages. Joelle Presby has written a winner.
Mark Lardas, an engineer, freelance writer, historian, and model-maker, lives in League City. His website is marklardas.com.