Published: May 2023
Pages: 491
Series: The Devoured Worlds #1
Summary
When a spy is stranded on a dead planet with her mortal enemy, she must first figure out how to survive before she can uncover the conspiracy that landed them both there in the first place.
She’s a revolutionary. Humanity is running out of options. Habitable planets are being destroyed as quickly as they’re found and Naira Sharp knows the reason why. The all-powerful Mercator family has been controlling the exploration of the universe for decades, and exploiting any materials they find along the way under the guise of helping humanity’s expansion. But Naira knows the truth, and she plans to bring the whole family down from the inside.
He’s the heir to the dynasty. Tarquin Mercator never wanted to run a galaxy-spanning business empire. He just wanted to study rocks and read books. But Tarquin’s father has tasked him with monitoring the mining of a new planet, and he doesn’t really have a choice in the matter.
Disguised as Tarquin’s new bodyguard, Naira plans to destroy his ship before it lands. But neither of them expects to end up stranded on a dead planet. To survive and keep her secret, Naira will have to join forces with the man she’s sworn to hate. And together they will uncover a plot that’s bigger than both of them.
My thoughts
It is the dark between the stars that lets them shine.
This was brilliant start to this trilogy. I was kicking myself that I left this for so long on my shelf. I’ve really been getting into science fiction more and more over the last few weeks and this book was fantastic. Perfect for long time lovers of sci-fi or if you’re new and looking for something that introduces you to a range of sci-fi concepts.
“For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be: What is once well done is done forever.”
The context of the world these characters live in is something I’ve seen hints of before (thinking of Project Hanuman) but I’ve never seen it done this well before. Which is uploading your mind onto an external drive to then have that mind downloaded into a new printed body. Physical bodies don’t hold so much value to those with money to pay for their prints and have their minds contiguously backed up. It also adds a lot of intrigue for the story. What if you’re reprinted into a mind that was uploaded weeks or months ago? You only have what was uploaded at that time so you’ll not have a single memory of the time lived since then. And for those with poorer backgrounds, they cling to their bodies because the risk is great when you cant afford to reprint – just sat on a digital shelf sleeping.. waiting..
There is real character development here, not just fluffy words and decisions which dont make sense with what we’ve learnt so far. These are two people finding their path. Are they direct opposites? Is it good versus evil? It really isnt as simple as that and that is such a good thing. I was questioning my own morality.
One thing I absolutely hate is the miscommunication trope and I was dreading that here but I’m happy ot report there is none of that here! They are actually mature characters that act appropriately to the circumstances and what they know. Who would have guessed? Mature characters actually acting mature.. This scenario should not be this surprising but I’m so used to grown characters acting as children.
“Power is persuasion, and persuasion is not consent”
There are only two perspectives but we get so much. So many plot lines that we know are somehow linked and we’re trying to put this pieces together and figure out how they all connect. I love some mystery in my books where I’m invited and even tested to problem solve.
I also love a self aware ship (Yes, the Illuminae Files traumatised me but a talking ship will always be a plus in my mind). There are only so many ways you can do a talking ship but this felt so different to Kristoff’s & Kaufman’s.
This book is packed with emotion. As a – very empathetic – reader I was upset, conflicted, torn between the different sides. The characters are so nuanced, individual, personal. I was completely in their web and I could not put this book down. I was up until 2am, I NEEDED answers.
There is a small side plot of romance, just enough for me to keep my feet kicking and keep me engaged. I need romance to be smaller to the main plot and this book does it so well. Just enough to tease the idea of something.
“I’d follow you anywhere,” he said, with no hesitation.
“Then try to keep up.”
This book is filled with action. there is never a boring moment, there isnt any time to think and once you think you know something well theres something around the corner. I am impressed by how this author was able to lay it all out and tie it back together again. This book was so incredibly enjoyable.
“There, Naira spent her nights camping on a cliff that looked out over long-dead fields, letting the fire warm her and the view harden her resolve.”
Naira is a badass! Give me a strong, intelligent, emotionally aware female lead, omg they should not be this rare to find.
“I can start picking them off, but ten against one aren’t odds I like the look of.”
“Ten against two.”
She cupped his cheek in her hand.
“You’re sweet. But they’ll destroy you.”
“I know.” He gave her a lopsided smile. “But it sounded rather brave, didn’t it?”
Would I recommend?
Yes, yes, YES. I don’t need to say anything, I’ve ran out of words for how much I loved this book.