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andrewwsharp's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
ladamemardi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alina_leonova's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Characters
The story continues ten years after the last events in Nophek Gloss. We follow the adventures of two point of view characters — Caiden and Leta.
Caiden has changed a lot, which is unsurprising after ten years of harsh life on the run. He's become rougher, more mature, less idealistic. And yet, the kindness and strive for justice are still alive in him, as well as the love for his found family. The crew of misfits I came to love are present in Azura Ghost, but they only play secondary roles here.
I was looking forward to Leta's POV, and I enjoyed it as much as I anticipated. She is a complex character whose views and values have been shaped by the charismatic and ambitious Abriss Cetre. It's impossible to untangle the true feelings of those around her from the impact of her Graven gravitas, and her relationship with her Graves (I won't even explain, you'll find out who they are while reading) including Leta is interesting, ambiguous and morally questionable. Just the way I like it!
Leta has her own found family, and their tenderness and care for each other was a pleasure to read about. I'm pretty sure Leta is autistic even though the word never appears in the book — and why would it in an imaginary sci-fi world? The differences of her brain are portrayed with empathy, honesty and what seems to me (not an autistic person) like deep intimate understanding.
Leta's character arc is very compelling. She has to make some very difficult choices and deal with deep trauma. I loved the combination of strength and vulnerability, her bravery and kindness, her blindness to the faults of those she loves and courage to stay true to herself. She felt real to the point of being tangible.
Plot
Azura Ghost is fast-paced, full of action and unexpected twists. I had a feeling there were fewer peaceful moments than in Nophek Gloss, or maybe they were just shorter. It's an intense read with an exciting plot where trouble keeps coming while the reader discovers more previously hidden facts about the world and characters.
World-building
The world-building is original, fresh and absolutely fascinating, just like it was in the first book. We dive deeply into the notion of luminiferity, get a better understanding of the Graven and keep meeting strange and exciting aliens as well as intriguing technology that is more similar to magic (you know the quote I could have used here ;). Essa Hansen's wonderful imagination keeps shining brightly in this one.
It's an inclusive book with LGBTQ+ characters and characters with disabilities portrayed in a respectful way — that hasn't changed since book 1.
Impressions
I was a bit confused by all the new characters in the beginning and kept mixing some of their names until the very end. At first, it was hard to figure out what was going on. However, it might have been caused more by my mental state than anything objective. Either way, I got invested in the book after a short while and enjoyed it a lot. I think I loved the first one a bit more, but maybe it's because it was the first time I encountered this fascinating world and characters. My mental condition likely has played a role too.
I loved Azura Ghost and had a lot of fun reading it. Even though I could barely focus, my brain was a constant chaos and I had very little free time, I kept coming back to it, looking for a much-needed escape between the pages. There is a lot to think about, but I'm not capable of deep analysis at the moment, so I'll leave it to other readers.
I'm already looking forward to the third book in The Graven series, as well as anything else Essa Hansen will write.
You might enjoy the book if you liked Nophek Gloss, appreciate space operas, imaginative worlds, fast-paced action, metaphysics and don't mind some brutality and cruelty.
This review was first published on my website, where you'll find more reviews, author interviews, lists, short stories and more.
The story continues ten years after the last events in Nophek Gloss. We follow the adventures of two point of view characters — Caiden and Leta.
Caiden has changed a lot, which is unsurprising after ten years of harsh life on the run. He's become rougher, more mature, less idealistic. And yet, the kindness and strive for justice are still alive in him, as well as the love for his found family. The crew of misfits I came to love are present in Azura Ghost, but they only play secondary roles here.
I was looking forward to Leta's POV, and I enjoyed it as much as I anticipated. She is a complex character whose views and values have been shaped by the charismatic and ambitious Abriss Cetre. It's impossible to untangle the true feelings of those around her from the impact of her Graven gravitas, and her relationship with her Graves (I won't even explain, you'll find out who they are while reading) including Leta is interesting, ambiguous and morally questionable. Just the way I like it!
Leta has her own found family, and their tenderness and care for each other was a pleasure to read about. I'm pretty sure Leta is autistic even though the word never appears in the book — and why would it in an imaginary sci-fi world? The differences of her brain are portrayed with empathy, honesty and what seems to me (not an autistic person) like deep intimate understanding.
Leta's character arc is very compelling. She has to make some very difficult choices and deal with deep trauma. I loved the combination of strength and vulnerability, her bravery and kindness, her blindness to the faults of those she loves and courage to stay true to herself. She felt real to the point of being tangible.
Plot
Azura Ghost is fast-paced, full of action and unexpected twists. I had a feeling there were fewer peaceful moments than in Nophek Gloss, or maybe they were just shorter. It's an intense read with an exciting plot where trouble keeps coming while the reader discovers more previously hidden facts about the world and characters.
World-building
The world-building is original, fresh and absolutely fascinating, just like it was in the first book. We dive deeply into the notion of luminiferity, get a better understanding of the Graven and keep meeting strange and exciting aliens as well as intriguing technology that is more similar to magic (you know the quote I could have used here ;). Essa Hansen's wonderful imagination keeps shining brightly in this one.
It's an inclusive book with LGBTQ+ characters and characters with disabilities portrayed in a respectful way — that hasn't changed since book 1.
Impressions
I was a bit confused by all the new characters in the beginning and kept mixing some of their names until the very end. At first, it was hard to figure out what was going on. However, it might have been caused more by my mental state than anything objective. Either way, I got invested in the book after a short while and enjoyed it a lot. I think I loved the first one a bit more, but maybe it's because it was the first time I encountered this fascinating world and characters. My mental condition likely has played a role too.
I loved Azura Ghost and had a lot of fun reading it. Even though I could barely focus, my brain was a constant chaos and I had very little free time, I kept coming back to it, looking for a much-needed escape between the pages. There is a lot to think about, but I'm not capable of deep analysis at the moment, so I'll leave it to other readers.
I'm already looking forward to the third book in The Graven series, as well as anything else Essa Hansen will write.
You might enjoy the book if you liked Nophek Gloss, appreciate space operas, imaginative worlds, fast-paced action, metaphysics and don't mind some brutality and cruelty.
This review was first published on my website, where you'll find more reviews, author interviews, lists, short stories and more.
kungfusquirrel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
booksthatburn's review against another edition
I tried to get into this, but it just didn’t happen. I liked the first one, but something about this just didn’t work for me.
A big part of the issue is that I can’t form mental images of things I haven’t seen, and as the locations and action became more strange and more focused on technically-not-magic space power battles and pocket universe stuff it creates long stretches when the only thing I could focus on is Caiden’s thoughts about things. I didn’t really like Caiden in the last book, and I didn’t like him any better here.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Medical trauma, Alcohol, Death, Grief, Medical content, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Suicide
ninegladiolus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
I wasn’t really sure what to expect going into Essa Hanen’s Azura Ghost. To be honest, I was lukewarm on the first book in The Graven series, Nophek Gloss; Caiden as a young, traumatized protagonist was written convincingly as such and it made it hard to connect with the narrative. But Azura Ghost was like its own multiverse in miniature and reset the playing field altogether. With a ten-year interval and a vastly expanded character cast and stakes, I could barely put down this book for all its 600 pages.
A lot of what I loved about Azura Ghost counts as massive spoiler territory, so unfortunately I can’t get too specific about what I loved, but I can certainly talk about some generalities. Transhumanism plays a central role in Azura Ghost in more ways than I can count offhand, and that is my absolute jam, especially when intersected with topics like disability, neurodivergence, gender identity, and artificial intelligence, all of which are explored in this novel. The intricate, descriptive prose made by brain pop and fizz with delight; so many phrases and paragraphs got highlighted in my ARC.
The character work also ascends into the stratosphere in this one. Caiden with ten years of being on the run under his belt has a lot to grapple with, both in regards to his past and the current conflicts he faces. Many old favourite faces return as well, including the inimitable Endirion Day. In addition to returning characters from Nophek Gloss, we’re also introduced to Abriss and a large cast of unique, terrifying, and wonderful characters in her orbit. Hansen excels at character development and I cared about everyone who got page time. There’s so much queer found family in space that my little heart was full to bursting with the full range of human emotion.
Also… when I say I could barely put this book down, I mean it. The pacing is absolutely excellent, and the way both plot events and character arcs weave together and split apart is a thing of beauty to behold. The already imaginative world gains more new layers than I can shake a stick at, and I sat in awe as that world unfolded before me.
For anyone who was on the fence about continuing this series after Nophek Gloss like me, I have to say I highly, HIGHLY recommend picking up Azura Ghost; this book feels like it has begun to touch upon the heart of the series and is both gripping and imaginative. And if you were considering starting this series at all, consider this my strong recommendation to do so. Unique, wonderful, emotional, brutal, and literally out of this world, Azura Ghost is a contender for one of my favourite reads of 2022.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
A lot of what I loved about Azura Ghost counts as massive spoiler territory, so unfortunately I can’t get too specific about what I loved, but I can certainly talk about some generalities. Transhumanism plays a central role in Azura Ghost in more ways than I can count offhand, and that is my absolute jam, especially when intersected with topics like disability, neurodivergence, gender identity, and artificial intelligence, all of which are explored in this novel. The intricate, descriptive prose made by brain pop and fizz with delight; so many phrases and paragraphs got highlighted in my ARC.
The character work also ascends into the stratosphere in this one. Caiden with ten years of being on the run under his belt has a lot to grapple with, both in regards to his past and the current conflicts he faces. Many old favourite faces return as well, including the inimitable Endirion Day. In addition to returning characters from Nophek Gloss, we’re also introduced to Abriss and a large cast of unique, terrifying, and wonderful characters in her orbit. Hansen excels at character development and I cared about everyone who got page time. There’s so much queer found family in space that my little heart was full to bursting with the full range of human emotion.
Also… when I say I could barely put this book down, I mean it. The pacing is absolutely excellent, and the way both plot events and character arcs weave together and split apart is a thing of beauty to behold. The already imaginative world gains more new layers than I can shake a stick at, and I sat in awe as that world unfolded before me.
For anyone who was on the fence about continuing this series after Nophek Gloss like me, I have to say I highly, HIGHLY recommend picking up Azura Ghost; this book feels like it has begun to touch upon the heart of the series and is both gripping and imaginative. And if you were considering starting this series at all, consider this my strong recommendation to do so. Unique, wonderful, emotional, brutal, and literally out of this world, Azura Ghost is a contender for one of my favourite reads of 2022.
Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.
donna_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"His awareness slathered across a dimension that was empty and limitless at the same time. Eternity in each speck and each speck stretched to eternity. The luminiferity."
Power up your Graven gravitas, because you're in for a ride in this excellent second installment of the series!! Azura Ghost gets on it right from page one and it's an intense journey as questions get answered, families come together and are torn apart and all new possibilities are uncovered.
*MILD SPOILERS FOR NOPHEK GLOSS **
We left Caiden and his nophek pup C having some much needed rest and peace on Laythan's planet. Azura Ghost jumps ten years as Caiden has traveled with C throughout the multiverse staying one step ahead of Casthen Prime Threi's bounty. He has stayed away from the family he loves as he thinks it's the best way to protect them. All the while Threi is still trapped in his universe trying to find Azura so he can free himself. Caiden is finally brought back together with his family as well as the girl from his past as events spiral in unexpected ways. Caiden has grown and toughened in his travels, but still retains the wonderful heart we love him for and the confrontations we have been waiting for are finally here.
So very much to love in this story! The relationship between Caiden and C, learning about the Graves and all their different capabilities, spending time with Abriss and finding out more about her relationship with Threi. New characters, new revelations and of course more mind blowing trips in the luminiferity. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and I love how Essa makes both Abriss and Threi so complex that you continually go back and forth with your feelings for them. Each is certainly the hero in their own story, and I am so looking forward to how the rest of the story will play out. Infinite possibilities in the luminiferity.
Power up your Graven gravitas, because you're in for a ride in this excellent second installment of the series!! Azura Ghost gets on it right from page one and it's an intense journey as questions get answered, families come together and are torn apart and all new possibilities are uncovered.
*MILD SPOILERS FOR NOPHEK GLOSS **
We left Caiden and his nophek pup C having some much needed rest and peace on Laythan's planet. Azura Ghost jumps ten years as Caiden has traveled with C throughout the multiverse staying one step ahead of Casthen Prime Threi's bounty. He has stayed away from the family he loves as he thinks it's the best way to protect them. All the while Threi is still trapped in his universe trying to find Azura so he can free himself. Caiden is finally brought back together with his family as well as the girl from his past as events spiral in unexpected ways. Caiden has grown and toughened in his travels, but still retains the wonderful heart we love him for and the confrontations we have been waiting for are finally here.
So very much to love in this story! The relationship between Caiden and C, learning about the Graves and all their different capabilities, spending time with Abriss and finding out more about her relationship with Threi. New characters, new revelations and of course more mind blowing trips in the luminiferity. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and I love how Essa makes both Abriss and Threi so complex that you continually go back and forth with your feelings for them. Each is certainly the hero in their own story, and I am so looking forward to how the rest of the story will play out. Infinite possibilities in the luminiferity.
sahibooknerd's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
It’s 4.5 but I’m definitely rounding up.
I think it’s taken me more than 3 weeks after finishing Nophek Gloss to get to this sequel because while I loved it, it was also a very high concept hard sci-fi book which isn’t my usual thing and I needed some time before I got back to this world. And I think that was the right decision on my part. (Also, this review might have some spoilers to Nophek Gloss, so please read at your risk).
Because this sequel is so much bigger and expansive and tense than it’s predecessor and I was hanging on the edge of my seat while rushing through the pages of this book. Just like Nophek Gloss, we are thrown right in between the action in the first chapter itself and there are hardly any breaks from the high personal as well as multiverse level stakes. The author’s imagination is really splendid and rich and I’m still in awe of this world she has created, and while I still won’t say I understand everything because I’m not that good at physics, it’s highly enjoyable; and even with the little I do get, I was marveling at all the possibilities of this world and wondering how much more we would be getting as the pages went by. While the pacing is mostly breakneck because there is no time to waste when the multiverse is in danger, there were some moments of joy and family bonding and nostalgia which I thought were perfectly lovely and gave me some respite in the whole tense atmosphere. I finished this mostly in one day because I just couldn’t sleep for the night not knowing what was gonna happen next.
I did not expect that this book would start a decade after the end of the first one but I think it gave some great character arcs. Especially Caiden, who is a changed man because he has the highest bounty on his head and can hardly take a break. We hear a lot about the little and big things he did in the past decade, helping the oppressed people and doing things to prevent disasters but I so wish we had gotten to read some of those while they were happening - it’s not the same while reading about his and other people’s feelings about his actions. He is also perpetually scared about giving into his Graven nature, always unsure if the care and affection others are showing towards him genuine or due to his undue manipulation. I really empathized with his need to not to lose his humanity and resort to violence all the time; but he is also helpless because he is kind and compassionate and can’t help but take the world on his shoulders and try to protect everyone and everything he cares about.
Leta on the other hand was a character I took some time to warm upto. It wasn’t her fault though - I truly sympathized with her situation and could see how she would make certain decisions even if I didn’t like them and only kept feeling sad that even she didn’t know if she had any agency - but then things happened (which I can’t spoil) and she became the strength that Caiden needed. Their relationship is fraught with the memories of an abusive childhood and a decade long separation, but I loved how much they still cared for each other and were ready to get to know each other anew. Leta also has some very interesting powers which complement Caiden’s own very well, but she is also much more thoughtful and wise whereas he is the reckless one ready to dive headlong into danger. I’m just so so glad they got to meet again.
Caiden’s found family is a much lesser presence this time but whenever they appeared and gave an earful to Caiden for being distant, I was heartened. They really all love and care for each other and I was always wishing that nothing would harm or separate them. Leta also has her own kind of found family but they are much more intertwined due to their circumstances and I think it’ll be interesting to see their relationship dynamics when they aren’t being manipulated. I don’t wanna talk much about Azura and C because I can’t spoil the fun, but I can’t stop myself from mentioning them because these two were a much source of delight in this otherwise tension filled book.
But the most important side characters this time were Abriss and Threi. Threi is not much changed from the first book and there is still his ruthlessness to contend with, but we get very little glimpses into his past and his true vision for the future, and I’m really excited to see more of him. Abriss on the other hand tries to project an image of benevolence and gentleness - and maybe she did have capacity for that before - but now she is full of hubris, convinced of her vision for the singularity, ready to obliterate any number of people and worlds to get the utopia she believes she deserves to rule over. The way the author has written Abriss’s character, with her ever changing words and tactics and actions, is absolutely masterful.
In the end, I had high hopes for this sequel after loving the first book and it exceeded all of them. I fell in love more with the characters, I’m completely stunned at the world the author’s mind has conjured, and I’m both excited and petrified about what more she has in store for us in the finale. If you are someone who loves mind blowing and ingenious sci-fi worlds; with characters you’ll come to deeply care for; and the themes explored are very much human and personal in a multiverse full of aliens and advanced tech and luminiferity - this series is written for you and you can’t miss it. It was much easier to handle the end of Nophek Gloss because I already had the sequel in my hands but Azura Ghost has an equally revelatory and explosive conclusion and I guess the next (probably) one year of wait for Ethera Grave will be full of anticipation.
dguthrieadams's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
5.0
The on-the-page discussion of being aroace and romantic verses platonic love is reason alone to read this book! Also no space puppies were harmed.
arrakistowesteros's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Azura Ghost is unlike any other sci fi I've read, including Nophek Gloss! I loved the first book in this series for the characters and the vivid creativity, and this book takes the story to a completely new level. Unpredictable, wildly imaginative, and surreal with the perfect balance of humanity thrown in. Azura Ghost isn't as quick of a read as the first book, but it delves into some deep topics and is absolutely worth the read. I cannot wait for the third book in the Graven universe(s), because I truly don't know how it will turn out - and I"m not even sure which way I want it to turn out! Even the antagonists have valid points and deeply human backstories. This is a series I am sure to reread.
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