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yourbookishbff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! This series combines so many fantastic sci-fi tropes and story archetypes - space opera, a romance sub-plot that is enemies-to-lovers but also bodyguard romance, sentient AI, evolutionary crisis - with some additional hidden identity plots, lots of body swapping and mind mapping, and a well-developed and compelling cast of characters. And while book two didn't have sentient ship POV like book one (RIP), it did bring all of the right notes of horror as humanity devolves further into total chaos.
The central conflict (which I won't outline to avoid spoilers) is balanced by the earnest and genuinely tender romance between Naira Sharp and Tarquin Mercator, our two main characters. The development of this relationship in The Fractured Dark is one of the most nuanced on-page depictions of two people navigating significant power imbalance in a relationship that I've read in any genre. The vulnerability in their communication with each other, their insistence to heal from past trauma to be better partners to each other, their faith in each other in all circumstances and in the face of terrible odds - it's so affirming. Please note, though, this romance is entirely fade-to-black/closed door, so consider this a "sci fi with romance sub-plot" vs. a "sci fi romance."
My only significant content warning here (aside from the genre-typical notes of death/murder/body horror/medical trauma/etc. etc.): extended on-page attention to a deeply abusive (both emotionally and physically) relationship between one of the main characters and a side character.
I highly recommend this series to sci-fi fans, particularly those who love a good romance sub-plot!
The central conflict (which I won't outline to avoid spoilers) is balanced by the earnest and genuinely tender romance between Naira Sharp and Tarquin Mercator, our two main characters. The development of this relationship in The Fractured Dark is one of the most nuanced on-page depictions of two people navigating significant power imbalance in a relationship that I've read in any genre. The vulnerability in their communication with each other, their insistence to heal from past trauma to be better partners to each other, their faith in each other in all circumstances and in the face of terrible odds - it's so affirming. Please note, though, this romance is entirely fade-to-black/closed door, so consider this a "sci fi with romance sub-plot" vs. a "sci fi romance."
My only significant content warning here (aside from the genre-typical notes of death/murder/body horror/medical trauma/etc. etc.): extended on-page attention to a deeply abusive (both emotionally and physically) relationship between one of the main characters and a side character.
I highly recommend this series to sci-fi fans, particularly those who love a good romance sub-plot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Stalking, Body horror, Mental illness, and Suicide
Moderate: Torture
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