The Lesser Devil by Christoper Ruocchio

Title: The Lesser Devil
Author: Christoper Ruocchio

Genre: Scifi Fantasy

Series: The Sun Eater #1.5

Publication: February 1, 2020, 85 pages

Source: Libby 

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Crispin Marlowe grew up in his brother’s shadow, but Hadrian is gone, and his grandmother—the duchess of Delos—is dying. Answering her summons, Crispin takes off on what should be a routine flight to the ducal palace from the castle at Devil’s Rest. But he is flying into a trap. There are whispers of treachery among the duchess’s many daughters, rumors of hidden knives in the planet’s court . . . if he can even make it there. With no one coming to save him and only his sister, Sabine, and a few injured guardsmen to protect him, House Marlowe’s least famous son must make his heroic stand, and contend not only the foes arrayed against his house, but with the cultists who dwell in the mountains above his family’s ancestral home . . . .

MY THOUGHTS

I'm further along in the Sun Eater universe, but I've been wanting to return to this novella focused on Hadrian's younger brother, Crispin. It's been a while, and I sometimes forget that Hadrian has siblings. It was nice to get a glimpse into another part of Hadrian's family and see what was happening while he was out there fighting for his life and the Empire.

I'm glad I read this novella because I wouldn't have known how much Crispin cared about what Hadrian thought of him or that he actually looked up to his older brother. It was kind of sad to see how deeply he craved a familial relationship.

After an assassination attempt on him and his sister, we see Crispin step up not only to defend them both but also to protect a group of villagers who came to their aid after their crash. I enjoyed seeing this side of Crispin, especially since Hadrian's POV often made him seem like a spoiled, lazy prince. The author explored religion a bit, which I thought was interesting.

It was a nice and quick read, and a great addition to the Sun Eater series.

Seek the Traitor's Son by Veronica Roth

Title: Seek the Traitor's Son
Author: Veronica Roth

Genre: Sci-fi Fantasy

Series: The Burning Empire # 1

Publication: May 12, 2023, 418 pages

Source: Libby 

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Elegy Ahn did not ask for destiny to find her.

She is happy with her life as a soldier, defending her small country from the Talusar, a powerful nation who worships a deadly Fever. A fever that blesses half of its victims with mysterious gifts.

But then she’s summoned to hear a prophecy–her, and the most ruthless of Talusar generals, Rava Vidar. Brought face to face, they learn that one of them will lead their people to victory over the other…but they don’t know which. And at the center of both of their fates: a man. A man that, Elegy is told, she will fall in love with.

In just one day, Elegy’s old life–her job, her purpose, and her future–is over. She and Rava are destined to collide, with the fate of their nations hanging in the balance. And when they do, only one will be left standing.

Elegy intends to make sure it’s her.

MY THOUGHTS

Seek the Traitor's Son has all the makings of a great novel. The plot was interesting, the worldbuilding was unlike anything I've ever read, and the pacing and twists were pretty good. Perhaps I went in with expectations that were too high, considering all I'd heard were rave reviews. Sadly, though, this book didn't live up to the hype for me.

The blend of dystopian, fantasy, and science fiction wasn't nearly as odd a combination as I expected. Earth is no longer inhabitable, so humanity now resides on some sort of space station or in a neighboring galaxy. Among them is an alien race that believes in the Fever, which felt almost like a religion. Once infected, a person dies and can then resurrect with powers. The people of Cedre do not believe in the Fever and have largely isolated themselves from the Talusar to avoid infection. At the center of this conflict are two women and a man, all tied to a prophecy that could either save or doom their people.

The book started off strong. I was intrigued by the so-called prophecy, and the opening scene at the Cenobium was chaos in the best possible way. I remember thinking that if this was any indication of how the rest of the book would be, then I was in for a great read. Unfortunately, things went downhill for me once it started feeling like a soap opera revolving around the three leads. What really didn't work for me were the characters. Elegy (awful name, geeze) literally meets her assigned knight for five minutes, maybe ten if we're counting the ceremony before he's captured. They then spend four entire years apart. Years. Elegy receives word that he's still alive and embarks on a deadly mission to rescue him from Rava Vidar's home. Naturally, the mission succeeds.

From there, we watch the knight struggle to reintegrate into society. Understandably, that's difficult after being a P.O.W, and the new Sword doesn't trust him. Suddenly, readers are expected to believe that Elegy and her knight are deeply in love after only a few days or weeks together? Please. This book boasts a sweeping romance, but there was absolutely none. It was insta-love in the worst way. There was no foundation, no relationship development, and nothing meaningful to build on. Just because they're part of a prophecy doesn't automatically create a believable romance. Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't fall in love with his captor, Rava. At least she was with him for four years. You know... Stockholm syndrome and all. None of it made sense to me. I never felt any real connection between Elegy and Theren. Their relationship wasn't realistic or remotely believable. I also didn't like Elegy or most of the supporting cast. Frankly, I found nearly all of them poorly developed. The only remotely interesting character was Theren, and even then, only barely.

By the time I reached the end, I had already figured out who Theren was and what his connection to the man and woman in the plant vision would be. Because of that, it was easy to predict where the story was heading. The ending felt anticlimactic. The only scene that truly engaged me was the brief flashback of Theren's time at Rava's compound. Everything else just felt... bleh. I won't be continuing with the series. Despite the book being well written and the concept being ambitious, the execution felt dull and flat. This was my first Roth novel, and it will likely be my last.

The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews

Title: The Inheritance

Author: Ilona Andrews

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Series: Breach Wars # 1

Publication: August 10, 2025 

280 pages

Source: Personal Library

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Adaline is a Talent. Ten years ago, she had a happy marriage and a job she loved. The invasion shattered both. Now she works for the government, searching the breaches for magic metals and medicine to help Earth repel an interdimensional enemy. Two kids, one cat, bills, benefits, mortgage and school tuition...Risking her life became routine.

She had gone into the dimensional gates hundreds of times. She was always well protected. This time everything goes wrong. Now Ada is trapped in the labyrinth of alien caves unlike any other. Her only companion is a scared German Shepherd named Bear. Together they must uncover the breach's secrets and escape, because Ada promised her children that she will come home.

The future of humanity depends on it.

MY THOUGHTS

If you’ve been following my blog for the past twelve or more years, you already know how much I love Ilona Andrews. Anything they write, I’ll read. So, when the Andrews team announced a new novel, a LitRPG-style book, I was immediately intrigued. It sounded like a mix of all their other series combined, which should have been an instant sell. However, The Inheritance was nothing like I expected and left me utterly bored and dissatisfied.

The concept of The Inheritance sounded perfect: alien breaches appearing all over Earth and humans awakening to new powers...very X-Men-esque. Is that a new idea? No. But I was still interested in learning about the Guild Hierarchy and how people’s talents came into play. The beginning started strong, with Ada and her team entering what should have been a routine breach, only for things to go sideways when they encounter a deadly new species. From there, though, the novel went downhill fast.

For about 80% of the book, Ada talks almost exclusively to her German Shepherd, Bear and later to two alien species speaks a foreign language. While there were plenty of monsters within the breach and some fight scenes as Ada navigated the tunnels, it was still dreadfully dull. The interactions between Ada and Bear were monotonous and there was so much heavy info-dumping. There was very little showing and far too much telling, which made the story fall flat (only Ada's scenes).

I didn’t find Ada particularly likable, either. It’s hard to connect with a character who essentially talks to herself the entire book. Readers were likely meant to empathize with her as a single mother with a deadbeat ex, forced to join the DDC (a government organization) to support her family. But despite that setup, I never found myself caring about her or her struggles. The alien creatures weren’t interesting, and the central plot surrounding “The Inheritance” itself was weak and unengaging. I read that some fans were excited to see a supposed tie-in to the Innkeeper Chronicles (one of my favorite Andrews series) through the character Jovo but that moment amounted to barely three sentences. Why bother even tying it into Innkeeper?

The only redeeming parts of the book were the scenes outside the breach with Elias and his team. Every time the story shifted to Elias’s POV, I was immediately drawn back in. His chapters had energy, intrigue, and actual world-building through interactions with other characters. In contrast, Ada’s sections dragged on endlessly, and I found myself annoyed whenever her POV interrupted Elias’s. Ironic, when her perspective dominated the book. Despite The Inheritance being centered on breaches and their inhabitants, I couldn’t bring myself to care. The brief scene near the end featuring Elias’s team and the short standoff with Anton’s group was easily the highlight of the entire novel for me. I was more invested in those few paragraphs than in the rest of the book, which really says it all.

Ultimately, The Inheritance was underwhelming and disappointing. I usually love when Andrews experiments with new worlds and ideas, but this one lacked the spark and charm that make their writing special. I've noticed their last two shorter releases have felt similarly dull and info-dumping heavy. Honestly, I wish they’d focus on finishing their existing series instead of launching new ones. There are still two ongoing series that haven’t had a sequel since 2018 and 2020 and if you’re an Andrews fan, you know exactly which ones I mean.

With how The Inheritance ended, I’m mildly curious to see what happens next but hopefully, any future installment spares us more of Ada’s endless solo scenes. All in all, it saddens me to say, The Inheritance is one of Andrews’ weakest novels to date.

Knot of Souls by Christine Amsden

Title: Knot of Souls

Author: Christine Amsden

Genre: Scifi Fantasy

Series: N/A

Publication: May 20, 2025, 396 pages

Source: I received a review copy from the author in exchange for a honest review.

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Two souls, one body …

When Joy wakes up in an alley, she knows three things: she was brutally murdered, she has somehow come back to life ... and she is not alone. She’s been possessed by an inhuman presence, a being that has taken over her dying body. That being is powerful, in pain, and on the run from entities more dangerous than he is.

Shade, a Fae prince on the run, didn’t mean to share the body he jumped into. Desperate and afraid, accused of a murder he didn’t commit, he only sought a place to hide—but if he leaves Joy now, he faces discovery and a fate worse than death.

Forced to work together to solve multiple murders, including her own, Joy and Shade discover hidden strengths and an unlikely friendship. Yet as their souls become increasingly intertwined, they realize their true danger might come from each other … and if they don't find a way to untangle the knot their souls have become, then even the truth won't set them free.

MY THOUGHTS

Amsden is the wonderful author of Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective and The Immortality Virus, which I had the pleasure of reading during my early review days. Cassie Scot remains a memorable favorite of mine. So, when the author reached out to let me know she had published a new novel, I jumped at the chance to review it!

Knot of Souls is completely different from Amsden’s previous works, but her impeccable writing style remains unchanged. In my opinion, Knot of Souls leans toward light Sci-Fi Fantasy, with a unique and fresh take on the Fae.

The story begins when a human named Joy is murdered, and in that fleeting moment between life and death, her body is hijacked by a Faerie Prince named Shade. Normally, when a Fae inhabits a living body, the original soul is no longer present but, in this case, Joy is still there, and she doesn’t plan to leave without a fight.

The subject of Fae has been around for as long as I can remember and, in recent years, has taken center stage in many fantasy stories. But Amsden’s version is unlike anything I’ve seen before. The Fae in Knot of Souls are incorporeal, energetic beings from another planet (yes, like aliens, though Shade would probably be offended by that label). With their planet destroyed, some chose to come to Earth to start over, while others returned to Source. The story touches on fascinating themes like genetics, reincarnation, and past lives, which I’ve always been drawn to. I loved how the author wove these concepts into the Fae's background and history.

Joy was such a realistic and relatable character; flawed, very human. I appreciated that she wasn’t the typical fantasy heroine who’s instantly tough, overly confident, or always knows what to do. She was simply herself, doing the best she could in an impossible situation. Shade, like Joy, was also flawed; his past trauma causing him to keep everyone at arm’s length. It was really rewarding to watch them overcome their differences and learn to support each other.

This was a low-stakes, almost cozy story where we follow the characters as they navigate the world, learning and adapting day by day. It wasn’t what I was expecting at all, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It offered a refreshing change of pace from all the romantasy and high fantasy I’ve been reading lately. Knot of Souls felt like a warm cup of cocoa; something comforting, relaxing, and easy to get lost in.

Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis

Title: Full Speed to a Crash Landing

Author: Beth Revis

Genre: Sci-Fi

Series: Chaotic Orbits # 1, Novella

Publication: 192 Pages, August 6, 2024

Source: Personal Library

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Ada Lamarr may have gotten to the spaceship wreck first, but looter’s rights won’t get her far when she’s got a hole in the side of her ship and her spacesuit is almost out of air. Fortunately for her, help arrives in the form of a government salvage crew—and while they reluctantly rescue her from certain death, they are not pleased to have an unexpected passenger along on their classified mission.

But Ada doesn’t care—all that matters to her is enjoying their fine food and sweet, sweet oxygen—until Rian White, the government agent in charge, starts to suspect that there’s more to Ada than meets the eye. He’s not wrong—but he’s so pretty that Ada is perfectly happy to keep him paying attention to her—at least until she can complete the job she was sent to pull off. But as quick as Ada is, Rian might be quicker—and she may not be entirely sure who’s manipulating who until it’s too late….

MY THOUGHTS

Full Speed to a Crash Landing is a light and entertaining novella that throws readers right into the action. Ada, a scavenger stranded on her ship, is awaiting rescue, which arrives in the form of a governmental vessel on a secret mission. The story sets the stage for what I see will be a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase as everyone scrambles to find a device with the power to change humanity forever.

At just 192 pages, this novella is a quick read and serves as the opening of a trilogy. The series is structured like episodes of a favorite TV show, with each novella offering a piece of the larger narrative. While reading, I found it initially challenging to piece together what was happening. Ada’s carefree attitude felt a bit too light and cheesy for my taste at first. However, as the story unfolded, the characters and overarching plot began to take shape, tying everything together by the end.

I’ll admit I wasn’t fully hooked until the final pages, but the ending intrigued me enough to continue with the series and read the next installment. Overall, Full Speed to a Crash Landing is a decent entry point for readers new to the sci-fi genre. Its quick pace and accessible style make it an easy read that could appeal to a wide variety of readers.

Kingdoms of Death by Christopher Ruocchio

Title: Kingdoms of Death

Author: Christopher Ruocchio

Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy

Series: The Sun Eater #4

Hardcover, 544 pages

Publication: March 8, 2022 by DAW

Source: I received a review copy in exchange for honest review.
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Hadrian Marlowe is trapped.

For nearly a century, he has been a guest of the Emperor, forced into the role of advisor, a prisoner of his own legend. But the war is changing. Mankind is losing.

The Cielcin are spilling into human space from the fringes, picking their targets with cunning precision. The Great Prince Syriani Dorayaica is uniting their clans, forging them into an army and threat the likes of which mankind has never seen.

And the Empire stands alone.

Now the Emperor has no choice but to give Hadrian Marlowe--once his favorite knight--one more impossible task: journey across the galaxy to the Lothrian Commonwealth and convince them to join the war. But not all is as it seems, and Hadrian's journey will take him far beyond the Empire, beyond the Commonwealth, impossibly deep behind enemy lines.

 MY THOUGHTS

Kingdoms of Death is perfectly named in the fourth installment of the Sun Eater series. The book starts exactly where Demon in White ended, with Hadrian captured by the Cielcin. The title foreshadows what readers can expect, and its as morbid and dark as the title implies. The Sun Eater series is one of my all-time favorite Science Fiction Fantasy ever and each book gets outdoing its predecessor. And while I enjoyed Kingdoms of Death I found the pacing a lot slower than all the previous books, with little to no action till three-quarters of the way through.

For majority of the book, Hadrian is held prisoner as the Cielcins try to extract information about the Empire and the Emperor’s whereabouts. At this time readers are giving an in depth look behind enemy lines and learn about the Cielcin Hierarchy. And to no one’s surprise like all empire or military structure, there are always cracks and unrest amongst the people.

I normally never have an issue with length. Kingdoms of Death clocks out with over 500 pages, but of those 500+ pages, 350 pages felt very stagnant and too long of a build-up. It wasn’t until we were closer towards the end did the story pick up. As I mentioned before, the title of the book was quite fitting as we saw MASS casualty. I was in complete shock at the turn of events and the destruction of the Red Company and many other soldiers. With how it all ended, I’m not sure what to expect next. The Sun Eater Series writing, and storytelling is the crème de la crème when it comes to this genre but what made this series extra special to me are the characters. With most of the characters gone, I’m not sure I want to continue. Although, I know I shouldn’t be surprised since from the very first book, from the very beginning Hadrian did say this wasn’t a story with a happy-ending.

Kingdoms of Death was a solid installment to the series. I will probably take a break to see if I’ll continue. In my opinion this wasn’t the strongest book, but the series as a whole is without a doubt a five+ star series. If you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend the first book in the series, Empire of Silence.