<checks notes>
You mean I have to talk about something other than just Eren, Corradeo, and Nyx in this review?
Because I could literally make the entire thing about them, you guys.
Ahem. Anyway. When I first received this book for review, I was informed that it would be quieter. More contemplative. Somewhat of a reprieve for both the characters and readers alike after a chaotic last couple of books. I found that to be exactly accurate. That’s not to say there wasn’t still plenty of excitement and intrigue (because what Amaranthe book hasn’t had those things?), but for the most part, our main recurring cast—Alex, Caleb, Nika, Miriam, etc.—spent a good portion of the book recovering from and reflecting on the events of Inversion. Certain relationships have been jeopardized by lies and subterfuge. Lessons have been learned from previous battles—both on a galactic and personal scale—that are certain to shape character growth and events to come.
I will say that Alex and Caleb do get to go on a good old fashioned adventure à la the Aurora Renegades days, one that sheds some light on a mystery that, if my memory serves me correctly, was first introduced in Continuum. Who they meet and what they learn are sure to be game changers.
While the more primary characters have it a little easier this time around, that leaves the more minor characters to have all the fun…that is, if things like life-threatening encounters with cartel leaders, assassinations of perverted tyrants, and the disarming of some seriously nasty bombs can be considered fun (I vote they can). I am here for anything Eren is doing at any time, and have been since he was first introduced (gosh, remember Re/Genesis? <sheds a tear> it seems so long ago). After a rough go of things in the last couple of books, the poor guy is finally starting to find some purpose again, if in a somewhat unorthodox way, but Echo Rift also introduces a whole new manner of shenanigans for him to get caught up in and I’m over here like…
Speaking of characters I’ve loved since they were first introduced, let’s talk about Corradeo and Nyx now (!!). We haven’t seen the two of them a whole lot since the Aurora Resonant trilogy, but based on the way Inversion ended, I had a hunch they’d be playing a larger role in upcoming events. In that sense, Echo Rift D E L I V E R E D. Even as his alias Danilo Nisi, leader of the anarchs, Corradeo has always been flawlessly written and has commanded every scene he’s in, regardless of which other characters are present (sorry Miriam, it’s true). And even though she’s no longer an antagonist, Nyx still carries that calculating, mysterious-verging-on-sinister air about her that so effectively captured my attention when she first appeared on the page as a ruthless Inquisitor (<gestures around> pssh, what on Earth would give you the impression I enjoy those types of characters??). Given certain Things That Happened™ in this book, I’m very much looking forward to seeing what comes next for these two. And Eren.
And, you know, everyone else, obviously 😉 But for now, mostly those three perfect cinnamon rolls.
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About G.S. Jennsen
G. S. Jennsen lives in Colorado with her husband and two dogs. She has written sixteen novels and short story collections, all published by her imprint, Hypernova Publishing. She has become an internationally bestselling author since her first novel, Starshine, was published in March 2014. She has chosen to continue writing under an independent publishing model to ensure the integrity of her series and her ability to execute on the vision she’s had for them since their genesis.
While she has been a lawyer, a software engineer and an editor, she’s found the life of a full-time author preferable by several orders of magnitude.
When she isn’t writing, she’s gaming or working out or getting lost in the Colorado mountains that loom large outside the windows in her home. Or she’s dealing with a flooded basement, or standing in a line at Walmart reading the tabloid headlines and wondering who all of those people are. Or sitting on her back porch with a glass of wine, looking up at the stars, trying to figure out what could be up there.
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