Review: Bonds of Brass by Emily Skrutskie

Hey all, Dani here.

I cannot believe that I have been writing up so many posts for this blog. It’s like I have this well of energy and excitement that I recently tapped into, and the words just keep flowing out of me. If only those were words towards my creative writing project, because I would love to actually make progress on my novel.

Okay, so I’ll just go ahead and say this…I’ve already bought a copy of this book, because it was absolutely riveting and so so fun. I’m not a huge science fiction fan, though I do read it sometimes. But I kept hearing people talk about this book being perfect for people who shipped Finn and Poe from the newest Star Wars trilogy together, and while I personally was shipping a Finn-Poe-Rey menage situation, this concept still intrigued me, and I am so glad that I picked it up.

Oh, and a huge thank you to Del Rey Books and NetGalley for granting me early access to this book. The privilege did not affect my rating or review in any way.

Book Details

Format: e-book

Pages: 304

Publisher: Del Rey Books

Publication Date: April 7, 2020

ISBN: 0593128893 (ISBN13: 9780593128893)

Summary

A young pilot risks everything to save his best friend–the man he trusts most and might even love–only to learn that he’s secretly the heir to a brutal galactic empire.

Ettian Nassun’s life was shattered when the merciless Umber Empire invaded. He’s spent seven years putting himself back together under its rule, joining an Umber military academy and becoming the best pilot in his class. Even better, he’s met Gal Veres–his exasperating and infuriatingly enticing roommate who’s made the Academy feel like a new home.

But when dozens of classmates spring an assassination plot on Gal, a devastating secret comes to light: Gal is the heir to the Umber Empire. Ettian barely manages to save his best friend and flee the compromised Academy unscathed, rattled both that Gal stands to inherit the empire that broke him and that there are still people willing to fight back against Umber rule. As they piece together a way to deliver Gal safely to his throne, Ettian finds himself torn in half by an impossible choice. Does he save the man who’s won his heart and trust that Gal’s goodness could transform the empire? Or does he throw his lot in with the brewing rebellion and fight to take back what’s rightfully theirs?

My Thoughts

Rating: 5 stars

I was hooked on this story from the first couple of pages. Ettian is just so darn loveable, and it is so easy to fall for him, and to want to see him succeed. And from the beginning you can see that he is a talented pilot and that he definitely has a strong bond with his friend and roommate Gal. From the beginning the story just felt cute. But also serious and action-packed and potentially dangerous. But even with all the chaos that ensued, I could not help but just be eternally happy while reading this.

Friends-to-lovers y’all. Plus add in the whole secret royal concept, plus pilot/military/officer school/training. Empires. Rebellion. Plotting. Daring flight sequences. Cute almost kisses. The whole falling into water/clothing clinging to bodies/staring and sexual tension…oh yeah. This book just has so much going for it.

Honestly this is probably a hot mess of a review, because my brain still doesn’t want to completely formulate coherent sentences to talk about just how much I enjoyed this reading experience.

Ettian is from an area conquered by the Empire, and could easily have turned against his friend after he discovered the truth. The fact that he stood up against his own people to protect Gal, it just warmed my heart, and got my pulse racing all at the same time.

Some of the forced closeness of the travel because of their situation was just incredibly well-done as well. I felt their connection, and the struggles to be together or not, what it would mean, what it would change, if it could last. There was just so much thought and emotion and tension and I was on board for it all.

This was just an incredibly easy to fall into, face paced, action-adventure story that was highly entertaining with lovable main characters, and an addictive storyline and pace. It just kept you wanting to turn the page, over and over and over. And then it was over and I was ready to dive into book two.

What’s going to happen next? I don’t know. We have a while to go before we get that book. So I’ll just recommend this book. Ettian and Gal are great. You should pick up this book and meet them for yourself.

Where to Get a Copy

You can grab your own copy of this book from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-million, Book Depository, or your local independent bookstore through IndieBound.

You can also check with your local library.