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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Just couldn’t get past my irritation with the main character.
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Pretty basic YA vibe, with a bunch of f-bombs and a barely-off-camera sex scene to try to make it seem more mature.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Cannibalism
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was between 4 and 5 stars for me. It was so incredibly enjoyable, but I wish it had a little bit more depth. But honestly, sometimes it's just fun to enjoy the ride.
Emily Skrutskie's "The Salvation Gambit" is a thrilling and very fast-paced sci-fi adventure that features a group of women con artists who excel at daring heists and cunning schemes; getting by with their charm, confidence, fancy flying, and hacking abilities. The characters in this story are the real highlight. Murdock, the hotheaded hacker, takes center stage. Her journey is engaging and the dynamic between Murdock, Hark, and the rest of the crew, including fearless driver Bea and mercurial rival Fitz, is a driving force behind the narrative. Their interactions, rivalries, and camaraderie make you feel like you're part of the team by proxy. The sapphic romance is well-developed and is a refreshing addition to the story.
The book opens with them being turned over to a sentient ancient warship (of a long-dead civilization) turned penal colony. The ship, the Justice, fancies itself a vengeful god, and the society onboard is a mix of scavengers, criminals looking to build new lives, and cultists worshiping the ship. When the ship decides it wants Murdock, for some reason, and won't take no for an answer, the group rushes to figure out how to survive and, hopefully, escape. The book is filled with action and suspense and the pacing is excellent. I was thoroughly engaged from start to finish.
If there's any critique, it's that I wanted to delve deeper into the lives of the other colonists on the ship. Additionally, a touch more darkness and drama could have added even more depth to the story. However, these are minor points in what is overall a highly enjoyable and fun read with great world-building.
Readers will eagerly anticipate what comes next from this talented author.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House, and Del Rey for the eARC. This is an honest review.
Emily Skrutskie's "The Salvation Gambit" is a thrilling and very fast-paced sci-fi adventure that features a group of women con artists who excel at daring heists and cunning schemes; getting by with their charm, confidence, fancy flying, and hacking abilities. The characters in this story are the real highlight. Murdock, the hotheaded hacker, takes center stage. Her journey is engaging and the dynamic between Murdock, Hark, and the rest of the crew, including fearless driver Bea and mercurial rival Fitz, is a driving force behind the narrative. Their interactions, rivalries, and camaraderie make you feel like you're part of the team by proxy. The sapphic romance is well-developed and is a refreshing addition to the story.
The book opens with them being turned over to a sentient ancient warship (of a long-dead civilization) turned penal colony. The ship, the Justice, fancies itself a vengeful god, and the society onboard is a mix of scavengers, criminals looking to build new lives, and cultists worshiping the ship. When the ship decides it wants Murdock, for some reason, and won't take no for an answer, the group rushes to figure out how to survive and, hopefully, escape. The book is filled with action and suspense and the pacing is excellent. I was thoroughly engaged from start to finish.
If there's any critique, it's that I wanted to delve deeper into the lives of the other colonists on the ship. Additionally, a touch more darkness and drama could have added even more depth to the story. However, these are minor points in what is overall a highly enjoyable and fun read with great world-building.
Readers will eagerly anticipate what comes next from this talented author.
Thank you to Netgalley, Random House, and Del Rey for the eARC. This is an honest review.
adventurous
tense
adventurous
fast-paced
I was given a free ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.