This wasn't quite what I was expecting going in, but I think it ended up being a lot better than what I was expecting. If you go into this book expecting science fiction, it probably isn't going to be what you're looking for, but I did enjoy the few science fiction elements that were in the book. I think that this is probably closer to slightly futuristic fiction than it is to science fiction.
I think that the main character, Carrie, worked very well in this book. Her struggles with what actions to take in the face of problems are definitely relatable, and she doesn't make decisions lightly. It's very clear to the reader what she is risking when she decides to act on what's happening around her, which raises the stakes and the tension. The pace starts out slow in the beginning, but speeds up as the book progresses.
There were a few plot points that felt as though they had been left out at the end of the book, but I think that overall the book does a great job of bringing things together at the end, and ending on a hopeful note after exploring very serious and heavy themes and issues.
Rating: 4.75/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Strawberry Tree Books and the author N. Alexander for providing this e-ARC for an unbiased review.

This is a thought-provoking exploration of governance and using one’s position and platform to build a better future—told through the eyes of a Black woman lawyer and scholar tasked with helping draft the constitution of Mars’s first interplanetary colony.

Much of what made this work for me comes down to our main character, Dr. Carrie Davenport—an accomplished woman who is also self-conscious, reluctant in the spotlight, sometimes messy, unpolished, and deeply real. Carrie does not see herself as an “advocate,” not beyond scholarship and teaching, and certainly not someone built for confronting problems head-on and changing the world. I liked the way this character initially shies away and keeps her head down, then overcorrects and kind of overextends herself, before finally finding her footing to be able to fight her battles on her terms, from her strengths. There are several personal and professional threads that weave together neatly toward that growth that I thought were nicely done.

Read this for:
- An interesting speculative fiction premise exploring issues of law and governance, “starting fresh” when building on/breaking from a system with injustice baked in.
- Bi/queer women of color in academic & leadership roles.
- Bookish, introverted FMC finding her voice pulling off the negotiation of a lifetime.
- A slower, reflective read.

Some critiques:
- A slow start, with a tendency to linger on unnecessary details that bog down the pacing. The book could have been tighter overall.
- Secondary characters weren’t as fleshed-out as I would have liked. Carrie was fantastic, but many others—especially the Project Mars and university cast—felt like mouthpieces. Kim, the best friend, feels very one-note to me. Some characters (Anna, Shauna, Carrie’s dad) started thin but developed nicely by the final act. It’s worth sticking around for that!
- The character of Adam Kilpatrick felt too much like a caricature. Not unrealistic—unfortunately, I absolutely know the type—but tonally it felt off to me. Every interaction with Adam was eye-roll-inducing, which I felt undercut the danger his character represented as an entitled bigot in a position of authority (or, at least, positioned for obstruction). In contrast, Beauregard Ball was outlandish in a way that worked for me.
- The academic exchanges felt underwhelming. We’re told these are top scholars, but the dialogue was mostly superficial and it kind of took me out of the story.

All in all I’d recommend this book, but it probably isn’t for most science fiction readers despite the listing. Think more literary/speculative. I rated it 3.75, rounding up to 4.

Good read and such an interesting topic. I feel like I learned a lot from this novel and it would be beneficial to many readers.

Was I suckered into reading Arc Of The Universe by its use of the word Universe and its spacey book cover? Did a skim read of the blurb mention "first colony on Mars" and make me think I was in my sci-fi comfort zone. Of course it did, but luckily what Arc Of The Universe is actually about is something that perhaps interests me as much as the derring-do of colonising other planets. In the Weinersmith's debunker A City On Mars, which explains the many reasons why it is unlikely we will ever colonise Mars, a full third of the book is taken up by legal issues. And that is exactly what Arc Of The Universe is nominally about (that is what the plot is about, what the book is actually about is even more universal...)

Carrie Davenport is an academic, a constitutional scholar, a black Professor working in an Southern US university who has been asked to front the working group on writing a Constitution for the first colony on Mars. She sees this both as a huge honour and repudiation of her safe career, coming from a working class background to a place of considerable power. Of course she rubs against issues, one of her working group is an originalist who cannot see outside the governance outlined in the US constitution, and she is well aware that the diversity of the first group of colonists is woeful, it is 95% white. Things come to a head when she gets pulled over by the police and she is arrested and abused by them. The book does a good jobn at contrasting her desire to retreat back into a place of safety, against a political reality that her work can and should mean something in the greater scheme of things.

What I really appreciated about Alexander's book was that she is not afraid to make Carrie a bit of a mess. Divorced and bisexual, the crisis point occurs due to a fling with a very different kind of woman, and yet whilst the decisions made are ill-judged, they are also justified emotionally, and Alexander never caricatures the protagonists. Indeed as well as race there is sex and gender politics on display, not to mention that of class in the US. I'm not sure I was all that convinced by the details of the actual constitution they draw up (which even they admit for 100 people all working for a company is more of a charter, and having some experience in drawing up constitutions for small autonomous organisations), but the stakes are properly balanced between Carrie's own personal drama, and the very real hypothetical stakes for space colonisation. Alexander is interested in her messy, professional woman first, and giving her a learning journey into activism using her own skills, above that of the universe, and I think she got the mix just right.

Arc of the Universe follows Carrie, a Black professor chosen to help design a government for the first human colony on Mars. Between the pressure of this high profile mission and dealing with conservative colleagues and police brutality back home, Carrie is pushed to her limit.

This story isn’t just about space. It’s about what we carry with us, what we choose to stand for, and what we refuse to let slide. With everything happening in the U.S. right now, this one hit different.

I loved the way real life issues like racism, social justice, and academic politics were woven in without overpowering the story. The friendship between Carrie and Kim was one of my favorite parts, and the BIPOC and queer rep felt genuine and necessary. It is thoughtful, emotional, and so relevant. If you’re looking for something smart and layered that makes you think and feel, this one is it.

While the importance of this book could not be overstated, I was a little put off by the format. I couldn't decide if it was scifi, a legal drama, or political statement. I loved the idea of all 3 individually but the way they were smashed together felt a bit disconnected. I almost wish the event had occurred on Mars, or that the entire Mats storyline had been scrapped. I just am not sure who the reader is. I loved the references to constitutional law and the idea that Americans don't have it right yet. Overall this book is good but it could have been great with some tweaks.

Thanks to NerdFam and NetGalley for the ARC of Arc of the Universe by Nikki Alexander.

★★★☆☆ 3.75 stars rounded up to 4 for the scope and intention.

This book immediately caught my attention with its bold, cerebral premise (and the cover!): a Black, queer constitutional law professor is asked to draft the founding constitution for humanity’s Mars colony. It’s a high-concept, high-stakes scenario that explores justice, identity, power structures, and the limits of law in a raw, philosophical way. Arc of the Universe doesn’t just imagine a different future—it asks whether we’re capable of building one that’s better than what we’ve left behind.

Nikki Alexander offers a unique, thoughtful debut that clearly aims to provoke reflection. Carrie Davenport, the protagonist, is layered and human who is grappling with loss, legacy, and her place in the machinery of change. There’s no doubt the author poured immense heart and intelligence into this story, and it shows in the complex themes and timely commentary on systemic injustice and democratic failure.

That said, the experience was mixed for me. While I admired the ambition and welcomed the questions it raised, the pacing was uneven. At times, the writing became heavy with description, so much so that the story occasionally lost momentum. I often felt pulled out of scenes by prose that lingered too long on internal monologue or minor details. And when the narrative finally turned toward resolution, it arrived suddenly, almost as an afterthought. The ending, for all its weighty setup, didn’t quite land with the impact I was hoping for.

Still, I can absolutely see this resonating deeply with readers who enjoy speculative fiction with strong socio-political undercurrents. It’s thoughtful, timely, and unafraid to ask difficult questions.

A good dissection of the prejudice that marginalized communities face when faced with creating a new constitution and wanting to protect them. I will say felt kind of disjointed after the halfway point and a fall off of near the end as it tried to wrap the things up. Overall an interesting idea and working towards the idea of the improvement on the inaugural Mars colony.

First, I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC of Arc (Nice stuff) of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Arc of the Universe is such a good read. Carrie's story is one of self-realization, triumph, and truly remarkable. What started off as a story of a brilliant professor's shining moments as the project lead for the Project Mars constitution team leads into an encounter with the police that would change her for the rest of the book. Arc is a story of identity, standing up for your beliefs, and change.

I really enjoyed the characters of the story. Shauna, Carrie's father, Anna, & Kim might be my favorites. They watch out for Carrie and are her support system. Shauna & Carrie's relationship is amazing and I was pulling for them to work things out and be together. Kim, the ever loyal best friend, was a lot of the comic relief and never backed down. If only we should all be so lucky to have a Kim in our lives!

Seeing Carrie's growth throughout the book was truly inspiring. It was unfortunate that she endured injustice on that path but it ultimately propelled her to standing up to others and helping to pioneer change. She is a brilliant woman with an impressive resume, a well respected professor, and an important leader on Project Mars. To see the struggles of our main character and all of those amazing people to helped her along the way is what I hope to see in our country today. Working together so that ALL can live a better life free of the shackles of the past and are given an equal opportunity at life.

Let me start off by saying this is a Nikki Alexander stan review from one Hamilfan to another. No less than three references (maybe more, but I clocked three) yet all were relevant and wel placed. Non fans shouldn’t be deterred since it’s not heavy handed.

Arc of the Universe is, in a word, important. It’s relevant and timely as the world watches certain white men attempt to use their billions of dollars and undue influence to colonize Mars as an extension of the least diverse qualities of Earth after pillaging this planet of its resources while disparaging the best humanity has to offer.

This is not an easy read, particularly if you are a Black woman like I am. There is racism, sexism, prejudice, stereotyping, micro-aggressions, and good old-fashioned dishonesty. This, too, is extremely realistic. But I am struck by the growth and the bravery it takes to enact real change and how well that was depicted. Alexander doesn’t take it easy on us. Colonization partially spearheaded by a Black woman is a bit of an ironic oxymoron. It really is so easy to get caught up in your own emotional safety and taking people at their word without digging a little deeper, so I am proud to see (Black) characters experience their radicalization in real time.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my honest review. It’s 3 AM and I’m still considering the gravity of what I just read if you’ll pardon the pun. 4.5 stars for a great Juneteenth read as I specifically chose to begin it that day for that very purpose.

What I loved:
-The heavy mentions of space, Project Mars, and the progress on the charter
-The writing style kept me intrigued, I definitely plan to read more from this author in the future
-It was a good length
-The small art in between chapters added elegance to the book formatting itself
-Formatted really well (easy to read the ARC)

Content and trigger warnings:
-Death of a parent (mentioned)
-Car accident
-Police brutality
-Racism
-Alcohol consumption

Would I recommend this read?
Absolutely. Firstly I love colorful books, but I think this book tells a really important story and brings space into it. I will say this book is incredibly intense and had me crying and very stressed, so be aware of that going into this one.

Thank you to Net Galley for the free eARC! I am leaving my honest feedback voluntarily.

So I thought that this book was going to be more about the space travel but was pleasantly surprised that it was so much more. I loved how the author showcased the struggle that the FMC was having with how far to go with seeking justice vs. stating more focused on her career goals. Do you listen to people who want to fight the good fight or do you protect your peace and move on. She was also dealing with issues within her career that overlapped the personal issues she was having. Loved this book!! 4 stars!!

A Bold, Brilliant, and Unflinchingly Honest Look at the World We Live In
The Arc of the Universe by Nikki Alexander is one of those rare books that grabs hold of your mind and refuses to let go. From the very first page, I found myself completely immersed in a story that, while rooted in science fiction, feels hauntingly and heartbreakingly real.
Told from the perspective of Carrie, our fierce and intelligent main character, the novel begins with what seems like a dream come true, she lands the job she’s worked tirelessly for. But what follows isn’t just a story of ambition and success. It’s a deep dive into the cracks in our society, a reimagining of power, justice, and what could happen if someone dared to challenge the foundations of an unjust system.
Alexander crafts a compelling narrative that dares to ask the impossible: What if you could rewrite the Constitution? Through Carrie’s eyes, we explore this provocative idea, how systemic racism, sexism, and corruption might be dismantled and rebuilt in a way that truly serves everyone. It’s a chillingly realistic thought experiment cloaked in science fiction, and it forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the world we live in.
What sets this book apart is not only the originality of its premise but the emotional depth of its characters. Carrie isn’t a one-dimensional heroine; she’s layered, flawed, and deeply human. The supporting cast is just as richly drawn, with every interaction adding to the complexity of the story and its themes. You don’t just read about these characters, you feel with them.
The writing itself is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s lyrical, powerful, and razor-sharp, pulling no punches as it explores oppression, resilience, and the fight for a better future. There were moments that felt like punches to the gut, passages that made me pause and sit with what I’d just read. This isn’t a light or easy read, but it is an essential one.
By the time I turned the final page, I wasn’t the same person I was when I started. The Arc of the Universe made me question everything I thought I understood about justice, equality, and the systems that claim to protect us. It’s a deeply thought-provoking book that doesn’t just entertain, it challenges, educates, and inspires.
If you’ve ever asked yourself what real change could look like, or if you’ve ever felt crushed beneath the weight of a system that was never built with you in mind, this book will speak to your soul. And even if you haven’t, especially if you haven’t, it’s a story you need to read.
Final thoughts: This is more than just a sci-fi novel. It’s a call to awareness, a spark for conversation, and maybe even a blueprint for hope. Don’t miss it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Strawberry Tree for the advanced copy!
Arc of the Universe tackles heavy themes of discrimination and systemic oppression with much-needed honesty. Alexander creates a diverse cast to accompany a compelling female protagonist, who evolves throughout the story. The antagonist is brilliantly crafted—proudly prejudiced and utterly detestable in the best possible way; he was almost too close to reality. The novel's greatest strength lies in its authentic exploration of the BIPOC experience, capturing the exhausting burden of always "doing the right thing" within systems designed to oppress and the frustration of never feeling our accomplishments are enough. Alexander is also not afraid to tackle the complex dynamics of racial identity in predominantly white spaces. The author skillfully weaves constitutional law into layman’s terms, making complex legal concepts easy to understand and applicable to both the plot and character development. The connection to current events felt vital and timely, addressing police brutality and systemic racism without heavy-handedness or discomfort. The protagonist's character arc—from someone afraid to make waves to someone willing to stand up for herself and her community—provides satisfying growth. While the novel starts slowly, it builds to a gripping emotional rollercoaster before delivering an ending that answers all questions. The romantic subplot initially frustrated me (I found myself cursing at Carrie’s choices!), but Alexander's twist proved this was intentional, a masterful manipulation of the reader's expectations. Overall, this is a powerful and educational read that doesn't shy away from difficult truths, while ultimately offering hope. Well done, Ms. Alexander!

To be published June 24, 2025, thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Dr. Carrie Davenport, a queer black woman and constitutional law professor has the opportunity of a lifetime- to draft the governing document for the first colony of people set to live on Mars. Carrie and a crew of secondary characters are to draft their version of a constitution, to guide the principles on which these people will live. In researching existing legal regimes to craft this document from scratch, Carrie finds herself also struggling with how to address the lack of diversity and racism of the projects funder, some of her collaborators, and the legal documents that she must base her work on.

While Carrie is navigating this, she deals with her side characters; Shauna, a hookup in a bar who can't help but bring trouble and a loud mouth; her best friend Kim who is the voice of reason and also Carries sounding board, and her ailing father, who she is desperate to make proud.

I was hesitant to apply for this because I thought it would be a sci-fi novel but it's a Shonda Rhimes dream with political savvy and a slight jump in time to support the settlement on Mars idea. I'd be really interested in a second book to let us know what happens next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Strawberry Books for the eARC.

This book is marketed as sci-fi, but it’s really speculative fiction—and that matters. If you’re coming for tech and space politics, you’ll get glimpses. But what the book actually gives is something more grounded: a sharp critique of the systems we live in, and what happens when those systems follow us into new worlds.

As a Black reader, I felt seen in Carrie’s story. The way she navigates visibility, quiet excellence, and the weight of being Black in legal spaces hit hard. Her experiences aren’t sensationalized; they’re familiar in the worst way. Her struggle to reconcile her ideals with her lived experience felt real.

I did want more detail around the constitution-building, especially given the premise. Some of the dialogue could’ve been given more texture and space, and the ending moves fast. But the story stays thoughtful and urgent. Carrie’s arc is what carried me through.

Not quite a 4, but definitely worth reading. 3.8 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Strawberry Books for the gifted eARC of this book.

First things first, this is not Sci-Fi but speculative fiction. I think that is an important note before diving in if you are expecting a Sci-Fi heavy book.

This is a timely book that discusses important topics such as racial disparity, the treatment of BIPOC individuals by law enforcement, treatment of BIPOC women in professional settings, and equal protections under the law. This is a very intellectually written book. What I mean by that is that at times, it reads like a law treatise instead of fiction. As an attorney who loved constitutional law when I was in law school, I very much enjoyed it.

What I enjoyed the most about this book was the exploration of being uncomfortable and putting your comfort on the line to speak up about important topics centering around racial treatment, racism in America, and the fight for true equality. This book made me reflect on my own actions and feelings - realizing the immense privilege to be comfortable that I have as a white woman.

Also, the character Adam Kilpatrick made me so livid, but I thought was an important illumination on how women, especially women of color are treated in professional environments.

Book Blurb:

How do you design a system of government from scratch when you've lost faith in government itself?

Carrie Davenport, a renowned constitutional law professor, has been given the career opportunity of a lifetime. Project Mars, the brainchild of a billionaire tech tycoon, has ambitious plans to establish the first human settlement on Mars. And Project Mars selected her—a Black, queer, publicity-shy professor in North Carolina—to design a system of government for the colony.

Carrie eagerly begins researching how to craft a suitable constitution for space. But when she is stopped by the police in a case of mistaken identity and subjected to police violence, the filmed encounter thrusts Carrie into a spotlight she never asked for, putting her at the center of the ongoing debate about race and justice in the US. Suddenly, American democracy doesn’t seem like a shining beacon to carry into space. Carrie must decide whether to speak up—against the police brutality she endured, the tech-bro culture of Project Mars, and an even deeper underbelly of corruption behind the mission.

Can Carrie regain faith in herself and in society to craft the “government of the future” and prevent the prejudices of Earth from tainting human life beyond?

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review of my own opinions.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading every moment of this book, even the moments that made it difficult to continue. Even with themes of racism and police brutality, I couldn't put it down.

The FMC, Carrie Davenport, was an incredibly relatable character and being able to see her thoughts and feelings of the events that transpired throughout the book made it all the more enjoyable.

I will say that I was a little disappointed to see this book labelled as Science Fiction on GoodReads, as while it does loosely deal with some themes, it is very much not the sole focus.

Even so, I am happy to give this book 5 stars as it was such a beautiful story overall.

Professor Carrie Davenport, a renowned expert in constitutional law, has been selected to lead the team that will develop the constitution for the future Martian colony, as a private enterprise, Project Mars, is about to launch the first group of colonists into space. Carrie has always believed that her way of introducing change is not through the barricades but by becoming a successful example herself, a role model of what a Black woman can achieve. But a brutal clash with local police, when they misidentify her based on racial stereotypes — where none of her regalia matters anymore — makes her doubt the foundations of American democracy more than ever, let alone the possibility of developing a framework for an equitable coexistence of space-goers on its basis. It seems like the Mars colony is going to be a rich white men's playground anyway, so why bother?

It's a very interesting case of allegedly sci-fi: a setting in the near future not to make conjectures but to develop a what-if situation to explore a very real and contemporary thing. It's the 2030s, to allow for the idea that the tech has developed enough to make that feasible, but otherwise this is a direct commentary on very recognizable aspects of U.S. society, with police brutality, racialized violence, and inequality.

As someone interested in what creates the subjective perception of a genre, I also appreciated this read a lot because it made me think about the following. I would say there is some YA-ish feel despite the novel not having any of the usual components of the category: not the teenage protagonists, not the themes that are usual in YA fiction, such as those associated with first independent decisions about one's life or defining one's identity. What then? I do not want to say this novel is not nuanced, so "simplifying everything like an adolescent read." To the contrary: it is very nuanced in exploring the topic, but all nuance is very thoroughly spelled out, like it often happens in YA fiction. It is a novel of ideas, clearly, and it invites the reader to think through these themes (democracy, equality, justice) together with the characters by sharing with the reader the input that they are basing their thought process on.

And the desire to show some ways toward hope rather than just reiterate the reasons for despair — which is characteristic of many texts for younger people — might also add to the feel. (But that's exactly why there are many 30+-aged people with degrees like me who prefer genre fiction, isn't it? This one is a piece meeting our demand that is often satisfied by YA titles, without being about teenagers.)

But in no way do I want to suggest that this story is only a discussion of legal-ish ideas: the plot is quite gripping, with several wild turns on the way. I happened to make a pause for a couple of days (because of work events) in the reading process that accidentally exactly coincided with one of those wild turns, and I was then: WHA-AT? Are we in a spy novel now?

Highly recommended, 4.5 stars.

Publication date June 24, 2025.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with the eARC through NetGalley. The opinion above is entirely my own.

Arc of the Universe is an unusual sort of book. Taking place in the very near future, the plot revolves around a planned mission to Mars - funded by a mercurial billionaire - for the purpose of colonizing the planet. The book has very little to do with the science fiction aspects of the endeavor, however, focusing instead on the foundation of the colony. The protagonist of the book, Carrie, is a Constitutional Law professor who has been engaged to lead the team drafting the new colony’s constitution.

This is not a thriller; it’s an intellectual book. Author Nikki Alexander put a great deal of effort into research for this book. While I did not check all the data and polling numbers mentioned in the book, they were very much in alignment with what I have seen reported as a POC - and a woman - working in STEM.

The UN’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (1979), mentioned in the book, is real. It’s been ratified by 189 nations, though, not, significantly, the United States, who has signed but not ratified. Kathleen Sullivan, also mentioned in the book, is real and is a respected professor of Political Science. Her works on feminism and the constitution – I found at least two article references (2002 and 2007) - are highly regarded. And finally, Girardeau Spann - again, mentioned in the book - is real. He is a law professor at Georgetown University and his Race Ipsa Loquitur article (quoted in the book) is available for download from the university’s website, and I highly recommend that you read that as well.

I very much enjoyed the portions of the book dedicated to the discussion on how to build the nascent colony’s constitution and, indirectly, the exploration into what is wrong with America’s and American attitudes towards it. I wholeheartedly agreed with everything Carrie, Owen and her teaching assistants were working so hard to build. And, by the author’s design, wanted to duct tape Adam’s mouth shut. It’s easy to become invested in some of the extended characters - Carrie’s dad is the bomb, and her friend Kim is not only ride or die but sexy as hell.

In that regard I found Carrie herself the most difficult to relate to. And I had ongoing conversations with myself about this for the entirety of the book. Carrie is kind of a mess, or seemed so to me. A queer Black woman, somewhere in her mid-thirties from my best guess, she is a tenured law professor at a top law school. Widely published and highly regarded for her expertise, as is clear given that she was selected to lead the team drafting the constitution from a pool of thousands of potential candidates. To achieve what she has already accomplished, she would have faced near-daily opposition in the form of bigotry and misogyny. She would be at least twice as qualified as any white male in a similar position. And yet she lacks confidence and hesitates to establish boundaries.

Part of this can be explained away by the fact that she struggles with the legacy of her mother, who was a social justice warrior. Carrie is haunted by the fact that her mother fought so fiercely for these issues that she sacrificed her health and her future with her daughter, and her response to that is to retreat into academia.

It should be noted here that I reached out to a lawyer of my acquaintance for input on this, in the interests of making this review as fair and balanced as I could, and they tell me that given the perspective represented for the character of Carrie this behavior might not be so odd. (I won’t tag them here in case they would prefer that I don’t, but in the event they’re reading this review - thank you for the assist.) So my discomfort with the character could come down to my own preconceptions.

I also found Carrie’s continuing relationship with Shauna questionable. Clearly, it was based solely on sex, and we all do stupid things over pretty women sometimes. But I would think that at some point rationality kicks in. And while Shauna is a somewhat problematic character in that she’s cavalier and has a total lack of interest in Carrie’s role in and goals for the Mars mission for much of the book, Carrie’s response to her revelations regarding a potentially duplicitous ally is cruel and over the top (and to be fair the author acknowledges this via Kim’s involvement).

And finally, the simple fact is that one has to wonder if Carrie would care quite so much about an equitable constitution if she hadn’t herself been victimized. One asks themselves whether she would descend from the ivory tower and work so hard for diversity and inclusion if she had not experienced it firsthand, because throughout much of the book her first instinct is to retreat; not make waves; not draw attention.

In summary, the book is thought provoking. And you can’t help but feel wistful about the opportunity to draft a new Constitution with the knowledge we have now, gained over the past two hundred years and more of struggle. The document author Nikki Alexander eventually has them come up with is almost enough to make you want to get on a spacecraft to Mars.

4.3⭐️

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am posting a voluntary review.