A review by hannahhbic
Aurora Rising by Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman

2.0

It's solid intro SF, but their first trilogy was way better. I did not appreciate any aspect of Finneon's character. Bisexual or pansexual people shouldn't be portrayed as creeps or always thirsty because it's a dangerous stereotype, and yet here is Finn, constantly checking people out AND making gross comments about their appearances. I also did not care for the depiction of his disability. Surely a highly specialized military school would have been able to make more accommodations for him than just that. Surely a galaxy with such advanced technology would have been able to help him more and discriminate less. I hated how broken and basically pathetic Finn became without his exoskeleton. Us disabled people aren't broken, period. With or without mobility devices, disabled people are worthy. That message did not come through, and that was a major failing. Other than not buying the insta-love between two other main characters and everything about Finneon, this was an okay ride. The audiobook version is great and I found myself wishing for more Kal chapters, just for his narrator. Looking forward to the next book.