A review by kitvaria_sarene
Echoes of the Imperium by Nicholas Atwater, Olivia Atwater

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-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

5.0

Echoes of the Imperium by Nicholas and Olivia Atwater is darker than I expected.

“Everything matters, Wil,” Evie told me. “But I don’t think penance is about fixing things. I think… it’s about…” There was a strange conviction in his dark eyes now, though he struggled to find the words to convey what he was thinking. “It’s about becoming the sort of person who would never make that mistake again. It’s about caring so much that you have to fix all of the little cruelties that you can. Until it’s the most natural thing in the world to you.”

After loving the prequel novella, I was anticipating more of a fun, cozy adventure. While Echoes does feature a found family dynamic (the crew has truly become a family, and no one is left behind), plenty of banter, and humor, it also includes some surprisingly grim moments. If you prefer to know what you’re getting into, be sure to check the trigger warnings before diving in.

For me, the blend of swashbuckling action, sharp dialogue, and the harsh realities of war and conflict created a nice balance. It never tipped into grimdark territory with a relentlessly melancholy tone, but it also didn’t feel like a lighthearted romp with no consequences.

To give you a sense of the tone: at the start of the book, soldiers who’ve just lost a battle commit mass suicide, and the "souls" of those killed long ago are still wailing every night. This isn’t the cheerful adventure I expected from the novella.

That said, the book still manages to make you laugh out loud (I caught myself snorting and laughing out loud, weirding out my husband, who was sitting next to me). The banter, paired with the crew’s audacity in the face of authority and "big bad villains," was an absolute joy.

“I smiled. “— and so, after careful consideration,” I said, “I regret to inform you that you are still a snivelling, opportunistic parasite—and the most contemptuous scum I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with.”

Nicholas Atwater’s narration is fantastic, with the characters' personalities coming through strongly in the performance. I felt like I was right at home with this motley crew of lovable weirdos. Each character has a distinct backstory and depth, making them feel real and engaging.

The crew is wonderfully diverse: a goblin captain, a teen girl with nimble fingers, a deaf sailor, a crew of gunnery ladies, a fairy, a priest of sorts, a tea-obsessed genius, and more. If you’re against the Imperium, you’re welcome.

“I’ll see you dance the gallows jig, Blair!” Barsby hissed raggedly. “Mark my words, I’ll wring your damned neck!”
I jumped back, evading another blow by the skin of my teeth. “Which is it?” I gasped. “What?” Barsby snarled. “Which… is it?” I repeated breathlessly. “Are you going to hang me, or are you going to strangle me? It can’t be both, Barsby. Don’t be ridiculous.”

Another highlight is the unexpected twists and turns. You might think you know where things are headed, only to be surprised along the way. The story strikes a great balance, often satisfying your expectations, while still managing to surprise you when you least expect it.

If you’re looking for something a bit different, something that isn’t too fluffy but still a lot of fun, with a crew you’ll grow to love, Echoes of the Imperium is a fantastic choice!
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