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A review by saraannasofia
Empire of Light by Alex Harrow
3.0
To start off, huge kudos to the author for making the trigger warnings really clear in this book!
Trigger warnings: graphic violence (including shootings, beatings, tasing, mild gore, depictions of a hanging, and an execution by burning), explicit sexual content (including mentions of sex work, a sexual relationship that begins in a negotiated contract for sexual services, and on- and off-page descriptions of explicit sexual situations involving bondage, control, mild pain play, and Dominant/submissive dynamics), trauma (including allusion to past physical and sexual abuse, and a depiction of a panic attack), deaths of supporting characters (including a young teen, mentions and depiction of assisted suicide, and one queer character who is a person of color), as well as substance abuse (alcohol, smoking, drugs, and a mention of an overdose).
To those who enjoy a more calm and sedate pace through the galaxy look elsewhere, because this wild ride gallops through scenes in a blur. Whilst it's certainly not boring, I sometimes would have liked a little more time in scenes before the characters rushed off to do something else.
It certainly never had a chance to get boring, but I would have appreciated more time with some of the reveals before hurrying on to the next problem. The main characters were generally likable, though many of the side characters didn't have the same sense of realism. It may be due to the pacing not giving them enough time to do anything, though.
Empire of Light is the kind of book that doesn't let you breathe. In spite of that, it manages to not become soulless like too many plot-driven, action-packed books do, because the main relationships are developed, dynamic and interesting.
The main character we get to follow is fun, but there is more simmering beneath the surface of the light-hearted Damian. He is an assassin for hire and as he grows apart from Aris, his unstable magical lover, and gets closer to the mysterious man named Raeyn, One thing I have to mention was that I found the development between Damian and Aris' relationship very fascinating to read about. Many books that I have read have an interesting and intriguing storyline following two characters who get together, but very few times have I read a story about a relationship falling apart that felt both real and very compelling.
This is one colorful ride with queer characters, demisexual and pansexual characters and I LOVE IT.
The reason as to why I knocked this down to a 3.5 is because of the pacing itself. The story would've really benefited from slowing down. There was little to no chance in getting to know the side characters of this story, which later only made me care very little about what actually happened to them as the story progressed.
ARC provided by NetGalley and NineStar Press in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger warnings: graphic violence (including shootings, beatings, tasing, mild gore, depictions of a hanging, and an execution by burning), explicit sexual content (including mentions of sex work, a sexual relationship that begins in a negotiated contract for sexual services, and on- and off-page descriptions of explicit sexual situations involving bondage, control, mild pain play, and Dominant/submissive dynamics), trauma (including allusion to past physical and sexual abuse, and a depiction of a panic attack), deaths of supporting characters (including a young teen, mentions and depiction of assisted suicide, and one queer character who is a person of color), as well as substance abuse (alcohol, smoking, drugs, and a mention of an overdose).
To those who enjoy a more calm and sedate pace through the galaxy look elsewhere, because this wild ride gallops through scenes in a blur. Whilst it's certainly not boring, I sometimes would have liked a little more time in scenes before the characters rushed off to do something else.
It certainly never had a chance to get boring, but I would have appreciated more time with some of the reveals before hurrying on to the next problem. The main characters were generally likable, though many of the side characters didn't have the same sense of realism. It may be due to the pacing not giving them enough time to do anything, though.
Empire of Light is the kind of book that doesn't let you breathe. In spite of that, it manages to not become soulless like too many plot-driven, action-packed books do, because the main relationships are developed, dynamic and interesting.
The main character we get to follow is fun, but there is more simmering beneath the surface of the light-hearted Damian. He is an assassin for hire and as he grows apart from Aris, his unstable magical lover, and gets closer to the mysterious man named Raeyn, One thing I have to mention was that I found the development between Damian and Aris' relationship very fascinating to read about. Many books that I have read have an interesting and intriguing storyline following two characters who get together, but very few times have I read a story about a relationship falling apart that felt both real and very compelling.
This is one colorful ride with queer characters, demisexual and pansexual characters and I LOVE IT.
The reason as to why I knocked this down to a 3.5 is because of the pacing itself. The story would've really benefited from slowing down. There was little to no chance in getting to know the side characters of this story, which later only made me care very little about what actually happened to them as the story progressed.
ARC provided by NetGalley and NineStar Press in exchange for an honest review.