Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - Ocean's Echo

I didn't know how this book would compare to Winter's Orbit. What got me most interested in that book was the arranged marriage plot, and then I found myself more and more invested in the political intrigue and found family aspects. Here we have the concept of a forced mental link rather than a forced marriage, which plays out a bit differently. Also like in Winter's Orbit, we have a character who is more rambunctious paired with a character who is more steadfast, and yet they also feel different. I think either story could be read as a standalone, but perhaps the world building might feel more steep if you jumped in at this book. The author has stated that there is no overlap in characters or locations, and that's an accurate statement from my recollection of the first book.

I love Everina Maxwell's writing. It is focused and conveys the plot and characters clearly, while also leaving room for some beautiful flourishes that immerse you further into the story rather than taking you out of it. I loved getting to know these new characters and watching them get to know each other. There were some bits towards the end that I think were meant to be big reveals, but I had sort of assumed those things already and I wasn't as shocked as the characters were, although their shock did make sense in context. Even though I saw things coming, there is still a nice web of political drama to flow along with the slow burn romance. Slow burn romances are my favorite and I appreciate that the author worked with the pacing of the story to pace the romance so you can see it growing and developing at each stage, and it never diverts the main plot or feels forced.

I listened on audiobook (at 1.4 speed) and I think the narrator was great.

Content Warnings

relin's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I found myself highlighting different lines because they hit so hard emotionally. Facisniating to see a world that is altered in this way and how it impacts the main characters (Tennal and Serit) think and understand the world. The picture it paints is beautiful in the middle of a ton of intergalactic politics of people trying their best. Also has an amazing structure of gender.

Content Warnings

shelvesofivy's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny 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? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This book is a highly political story with a threat of Civil War at its core, with a romance sprinkled in. Honestly, the main plot could be summed up is how are people in power abuse the power they have over others.

The writing style was beautiful and intricate, it had so many perfect Syfy elements, and realized in such a vivid detail

I think that the subplot that focuses on the struggles with mental health and self destructive decisions of one of the main characters was well done, and thoughtful in it’s execution.

While the romance isn’t the main focus of the book for me, it IS one of the more beautiful romances that I have read in a long time. The book touches on aspects of consent, trust and communication, all while being able to navigate really stressful situations with a partner. SO WONDERFUL.

Content Warnings

arydecker's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny 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

5.0

Content Warnings

kate_arts's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

This book has so many twists and turns. The story had so many moving parts which at some points were hard to keep track of them all, but didn’t really detract from the story. I think the metaphysical aspect of this book was really well handled especially as the story progressed. I also loved the romance. Some aspects of this book would make more sense if you read Winter’s Orbit first, but they could be stand alone.

I also want to give a big shout out to Everina Maxwell’s portrayal of gender. She created her own system which is easy to fallow and allows her characters to explore all aspects of this system without judgment or pigeonholing them to fit preconceived notions the reader might have.

I can’t wait to see what happens next in this universe

Content Warnings

annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

i really enjoyed Everina Maxwell's first book, Winter's Orbit, set in the same universe but entirely separate, so i was of course very excited for their next one. Ocean's Echo went even more for plot and even less for romance than its predecessor, which was already notable for how plot-heavy it was for a book billed as a romance; unfortunately, i enjoyed the plot much less this time around. the whole Power Rangers combine-into-one but with minds ("syncing") became monotonous and laborious. the book could have been 20% shorter, but even if it were, the amount of payoff at the end still wouldn't feel sufficient. basically, not my favorite journey and a very meager reward for my efforts. i still recommend Winter's Orbit though

Content Warnings

quirkykayleetam's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

I knew I was going to be a sucker for this book the moment that the two main characters were introduced as incredibly different, stubbornly loving little shits.

Tennalhin uses his charisma to cause chaos in the social situations he's forced into as the son of the Senator. Surit is a perfect soldier and serial loophole abuser who uses his perfect memory of army regulations to do The Right Thing...and the exactly opposite of what his superiors wanted him to do.

These two men find themselves forcibly linked in the midst of a much larger conflict involving military coups, alien remnants, government conspiracies, murder attempts, and mass brain washings as they learn to find themselves through loving each other...and maybe saving their galaxy along the way.

Extra points for going beyond one concept of non-binary genders and showing how that has always worked in this world.

Content Warnings

More...