A review by this_one_is_blue
Hyvilma by Gideon Marcus

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This book gets into deeper worldbuilding for Pinky's species, the Jump, and the political landscape.

One part that hurt my heart in a very "I've been there" way was the moment *after* Sirena makes a daring escape from space onto a ship. The elegant and composed princess experiences a moment of deep vulnerability due to her disability. She's ultimately uninjured, but as anyone who has had to prove (or felt they had to prove) their capability can attest, when your supports falter, you are left in an awkward situation at best. No matter how composed and capable you are, how used to working with and around a disability... you can still find yourself feeling exposed, vulnerable, or embarrassed. The scene doesn't linger and it isn't "tragedy porn". It's just a raw moment.

Sirena works overtime as medical staff with her training, but this book also shows just how much she is limited in locations (like ships) that her hoverchair can't maneuver through. She's an active part of the book, but she can't follow the rest of the Majera crew through the winding tunnels.

Hyvilma has Kitra starting to question just how infallible the government she has put her trust in truly is. Some of her fellow crew, like Marta and Peter, already have reservations and have experiences with getting the short end of things. Up until now though, Kitra has had little personal reason to look deeper.

As with the previous books, there is no "big bad". There are terrible situations, there are desperate individuals, there are antagonists - but no one is evil. Everyone has reasons, and they all think those reasons are justified.

A few other things I liked!

- We get more about Fareedh's family! My favorite rainbow-spacesuit-wearing guy!

- Where "Sirena" was a race against time and the environment, Hyvilma has more in common with submarine stories that I've encountered in '60s scifi. Communications are dangerous, the enemy or "enemy" is not fully known, and it all takes place in a contained set of locations. It gives the characters' fear and tension a closed in, breath-held feeling that was engaging even when they weren't "actively" facing a threat.

- First up-close look at the Navy that has been talked about.

- Pinky shows a side that he has covered up previously, more introspective and alien. His jokes are still there though, don't worry!