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What Members Thought
4.5ish stars.
To categorize this as a "romance novel" would, I think, be doing it a disservice, (especially to SFF readers who might be put off by that label, although maybe that’s just my implicit bias) because that would discount how good it is as a science fiction novel. It is equal parts tightly plotted, imaginative space opera, and intimate, significant relationship study. Very impressive.
I was looking forward to reading based on pre-release advertising and hype, but I was not expecting some ...more
To categorize this as a "romance novel" would, I think, be doing it a disservice, (especially to SFF readers who might be put off by that label, although maybe that’s just my implicit bias) because that would discount how good it is as a science fiction novel. It is equal parts tightly plotted, imaginative space opera, and intimate, significant relationship study. Very impressive.
I was looking forward to reading based on pre-release advertising and hype, but I was not expecting some ...more
With distinct YA vibes even if it isn't precisely YA, this SF M/M romance is perfectly fine for those who prefer this kind of thing. It's full of royals, light political intrigue, slow-burn romance with a galactic empire on the verge of war.
As for me, personally, I think it was light on the SF and worldbuilding and the characters were fine if not brilliant. This kinda hits a middle-of-the-road read for me and it isn't anything near my actual preference, but it matches a lot of the kinds of SF th ...more
As for me, personally, I think it was light on the SF and worldbuilding and the characters were fine if not brilliant. This kinda hits a middle-of-the-road read for me and it isn't anything near my actual preference, but it matches a lot of the kinds of SF th ...more
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A disappointing book that I was looking forward to because of the comparison to Ann Leckie’s Ancillary Justice. Ancillary Justice is worlds better.
The world building in this book was not believable, so I never felt the fear the characters expressed about the treaty situation. Also, other than Jainan and Kiem, the characters were not well developed.
The only thing I liked about this book was (view spoiler) ...more
The world building in this book was not believable, so I never felt the fear the characters expressed about the treaty situation. Also, other than Jainan and Kiem, the characters were not well developed.
The only thing I liked about this book was (view spoiler) ...more
A quarter into it the book it felt like this: potential m/m romance in an SF setting, marriage of convenience, potentially a murder mystery and court intrigue, hints of space opera.
As the mystery unfolded at a snail’s pace, the author didn‘t offer many details. Elaborate explanations were given to other characters in the off, without engaging the reader very much. Which made that part of the narrative pretty superficial.
The romance was mostly nonexistent in the first half of the book. Kiem and J ...more
As the mystery unfolded at a snail’s pace, the author didn‘t offer many details. Elaborate explanations were given to other characters in the off, without engaging the reader very much. Which made that part of the narrative pretty superficial.
The romance was mostly nonexistent in the first half of the book. Kiem and J ...more
Re-read in time for sequel.
Good thing too since I had forgotten some of the points referring to the political plot. I also enjoyed the whole story more somehow.
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Maxwell’s first novel turned out to be a really good read, combining elements of science fiction and romance.
The focus of the story is on Kiam and Jainan who have been ‘pushed’ into a political marriage to ensure an alliance. Circumstances are however a lot more complicated than supposed. Jainan’s first partner, Prince Taam, died in su ...more
Good thing too since I had forgotten some of the points referring to the political plot. I also enjoyed the whole story more somehow.
---
Maxwell’s first novel turned out to be a really good read, combining elements of science fiction and romance.
The focus of the story is on Kiam and Jainan who have been ‘pushed’ into a political marriage to ensure an alliance. Circumstances are however a lot more complicated than supposed. Jainan’s first partner, Prince Taam, died in su ...more
Nov 04, 2020
Di Maitland
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
abuse,
lgbtq,
damaged,
titled-characters,
sci-fi,
diplomacy,
future,
romance,
on-planet-off-earth,
free-for-review
'"You would not invite a scandal across half the royal family," Rakak said. They looked like they had bitten something sour. "The Emperor would–"
"Exile to me to a monastery again?" Kiem said. "Already went, three years ago. I'm a world-class meditator. I don't mind being in the newslogs."'
This book was so much more than I was expecting. I was imagining a light, gay rom-com in space. I got a nuanced relationship, fraught by history and circumstance, with a decent amount of world-building and some ...more
Jan 03, 2023
DivaDiane SM
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
diane-s-meager-effort,
sffbc-book-shelf
Oops, not sure why I didn’t rate or review this when I read it. I enjoyed it quite a bit even when the protagonists were acting stupid. It’s a bit like a daytime soap opera where you yell at them to get their heads screwed on right. Ultimately satisfying though.
Dec 31, 2020
Rebecca
marked it as to-read
Jan 24, 2021
Denise
marked it as to-read
Feb 01, 2021
Gali
marked it as to-read
Feb 10, 2021
Layton
marked it as to-read
Feb 22, 2021
Dayna
marked it as to-read
Mar 25, 2021
Carrie
marked it as to-read
Apr 19, 2022
Leticia
marked it as dnf_or-set-aside-for-now
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
r-fantasy-bingo-challenge-2022,
library
Sep 08, 2022
Cobwebs-Iced-Across-SpaceTime
marked it as to-read
