<insert obligatory opening statement about how this series somehow keeps managing to deliver even after 17 books>
Okay, look. Was this my favorite Amaranthe book? Honestly, no. But I by no means didn’t like it—after all this time, I’m so invested in these characters and this ever-evolving story that I can’t help but continue loving it.
Despite not enjoying the book as a whole as much as I’ve enjoyed others (if memory serves, I think Relativity might still be my all-time favorite), this one still had gems of its own. And really, that’s part of what’s been so cool about this whole series, especially once Aurora Rhapsody and Asterion Noir merged and the cast essentially doubled. There’s something for everyone. If you love sci-fi but you’re more invested in a space opera / exploration setup, you might be more eager to read parts with Alex and Caleb. More of a military sci-fi junkie? You’ve got Miriam, Malcolm, and all of their endeavors. Like more of a cyberpunk twist? There’s Nika, Dashiel, and the other Asterions, plus the human Prevos and Artificials. Want a little more intrigue and espionage in your sci-fi? You’ll love what the Anadens are up to. Sometimes these things overlap a bit (for example, here in All Our Tomorrows, Miriam and Malcolm get mixed up in their fair share of intrigue, which was a fun change), but for the most part, if there’s an element of the overall story you’re not as invested in, chances are there’s something else you love.
Personally, I tend to gravitate toward the space opera / exploration / action / intrigue elements. Alex and Caleb have been the very foundation of this series from the beginning, and their adventures never cease to thrill and entertain. Caleb has of course spent the last couple of books dealing with the implications of the bond he shares with Akeso, and in this story, he discovers that bond has granted him a new ability that, by its very nature, is quite contrary to who he used to be as a person (like pre-Starshine era). So that’s interesting.
I think I’ve gone off ranting about Eren in pretty much every review I’ve written since his character was introduced. The guy just steals the spotlight in every scene he’s in, and it’s always neat to see what kind of dynamic you get when he’s interacting with different characters (for example, here in AOT, we see him team up briefly with Morgan, and you just know that’ll be fun—I can’t unhear Thor / Chris Hemsworth when he’s talking to her). And then he and Nyx are such a deliciously chaotic pair, forced to work together and rely on each other against their will but ultimately both smart enough to sincerely back each other up when the situation calls for it. I love them both so much it hurts. And then there’s Corradeo (yes, I’m well aware I spent half of my last review raving about these three as well). In one moment, he’s a breath of fresh air, because you know he’s come back to try to stabilize relations between the Anadens and Concord after some of the chaos in the last few books. In the next moment, he says or does something that reminds you he’s a master manipulator at heart, even if his intentions are good. That makes for a really interesting character, I’d say. Combine that persona with Eren and Nyx’s dynamics—both individual and collective—and, well, I think you already know how I feel about all of that 😌.
(side note: I was reading through some old reviews—I’ve apparently been talking about the three of them since Rubicon, and I’m not even a little bit sorry)
Oh! And how could I forget about the Kats? They’ve of course had their virtual fingers in all the pies for the duration of the series, and it’s sometimes easy to forget that. As I’ve beta-read the last couple of books, G.S. has asked me if I have any inkling what the Kats are planning, and I still don’t have a solid grasp on it (which I’ve been told is fine LOL). I can definitely tell there’s something brewing behind the scenes though—it’ll be the ultimate slow-burn reveal, and I’ll bet it’ll be a doozy. Here in AOT, there were a few scenes from Mesme’s POV that I actually really enjoyed, partially because I enjoy the wording and structure used for the Kats’ ultra-formal speaking style, and partially because it feels like you’re getting a look behind the curtain.
Okay I’m getting long-winded here. Despite this not being my favorite book, I get the sense it will end up being the catalyst for some important events in the near future. The resolution of THE CLIFFHANGER it ends on will almost certainly answer some questions that have been plaguing us. I would also note that this review where I talk about my favorite things barely scratches the surface in terms of everything that actually happened in this book, so you’ll just have to go and see for yourselves.
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ABOUT G.S. JENNSEN
G. S. Jennsen lives in Montana 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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