Aftershocks by Marko Kloos

Finally a Sci-fi that didn’t leave me feeling stupid.

A war criminal, Aden, has spent the last 5 years imprisoned on Rhodia. One year longer than the war went for. The time has finally come, he is out, it’s time to head home, to his planet Gretia. Deciding to take the long route, he buys passage on a cargo ship. All goes well until they are hit by pirates and left drifting in an escape pod.

Shadow Of The Exile by Mitchell Hogan

“I’m not a man,” said Tarrik. “And mercy is for the weak.”