I absolutely loved Everina Maxwell’s first book, Winter’s Orbit, so I was a bit scared that my expectations would be too high for Ocean’s Echo. But I’m glad to say that even though the plot was a bit slower and more complicated, I really enjoyed Ocean’s Echo as well, and that I once again rooted for the amazing, fleshed out and somewhat morally grey characters!

The author originally pitched this book as “like fake dating but with fake soulbonding, also both characters are in the space military”, which is such a spot on summary!
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It’s not really a romance book, even though there is romance, but more of a sci-fi action book with romantic parts (including pining, friends to lovers and miscommunication but very little physical attraction) and a lot of space battles, mind control, military fraternization, betrayals, power imbalance and a very intriguing unique world building.

In short, this book follows the selfish, immature, flirty, and walking disaster Tennalhin Halkana (Tennal), who is a neuromodified “reader” and part of the elite as a nephew of the Legislator. After one too many screw-ups, the Legislator forcibly conscripts him into the military, where he is placed into the care of Lieutenant Surit Yeni (Surit), a duty-bound soldier, “architect”, and the son of a notorious traitor general. Whereas Tennal can read minds, Surit can impose his will onto others, and he’s under orders to control Tennal by merging their minds. However, for various reasons, neither of them wants this sync, so they fake it and begin to plan for Tennal’s escape. But pretending to be synced means that they have to get to know each other deeply and despite their wish a bond and unwanted feelings start to grow…

I enjoyed this book a lot, but I didn’t love it the way I did Winter’s Orbit. The romance didn’t have the same chemistry, and mostly took place inside the heads of Tennal and Surit. It was also complicated by the power dynamics of the mental sync plot. The overall plot was also quite complicated and dragged somewhat, compared to Winter’s Orbit. I would have loved to get more of the romance and maybe a little less of the political betrayals, strategic plot twists and complicated chaotic space navigations. But overall it was a great story with amazing characters to root for and I absolutely loved the crew and their group dynamics, snarky banter and neverfailing loyalty! 

Rating:
4 stars

Get your own copy:
Macmillan

​Author info:
Everina Maxwell

Winter’s Orbit is a queer, political space opera and M/M romance masterpiece! It’s pitched as “Ancillary Justice meets Red, White & Royal Blue” and that is such a spot on description! It has the same wonderful queer, fun and political vibes as RWARB and an epic space and treachery plot that is similar to Ancillary Justice, all mixed together into one of my absolute favorite books ever!

In the Iskat Empire, the treaties and political alliances between the planets are the foundation that holds the empire together. When the planet Thea starts to rebel against Iskat about the same time as Imperial Prince Taam dies in an accident, his Thean widower Count Jainan is rushed into an arranged marriage with Taam’s cousin Kiem in a desperate way to prevent an interplanetary war.

I immediately rooted for the poor forced-into-marriage couple, both Jainan and Kiem were such wonderful characters! Jainan is a Thean diplomat and dutiful scholar, who always takes his responsibilities seriously and puts duty before his own happiness, whereas Kiem is the disreputable prince, who never takes anything too serious, but with such a good heart. I just loved how Kiem always sees the best in everyone, how kind, generous and sociable he is. And how he was so conscious of Jainan’s grief after losing his partner and respecting his feeling. A bit too much even… Jainan was also so lovable, but a much more complex character with a baggage that revealed itself as the story evolved. When it appears that Prince Taam’s death may not have been an accident, and that Jainan is not only shut out from the investigation of his late husband’s death, but a suspect himself, the new couple must quickly overcome their differences and learn to trust one another while navigating political, military and inter-galactic diplomatic relations. As well as dealing with their growing feelings for each other…

The genuine and sweet way Kiem’s and Jainan’s relationship developed was just adorable. Everina Maxwell did an excellent job building up the romance slowly while at the same time driving the plot forward at light speed with the murder mystery, the political intrigues and all galactic action.

I also really loved the world building and the unique concept that gender is a choice you can make to express (or not) and that partnerships are completely gender-neutral too. In this world there is no homophobia at all. The character’s sexuality is no one’s business but their own. I really appreciated the fact that Everina Maxwell didn’t even make a big thing of this.

Even though the story is based on a science-fiction story and set in space, it feels very contemporary. It’s light and sassy, but it still deals with a lot of heavy topics such as abuse and violence, angst, self-loathing, love and vulnerability, and a forced marriage trope. Basically, this book has it all! A swooning gay romance, great dialogue, nuanced and queer relationships, political intrigues that need to be challenged, a murder history that needs to be solved, and a galactic war that needs to be stopped. It’s hilarious, witty, tender, thoughtful and devastatingly heartfelt. It’s a story about being brave enough to admit you are worth fighting for, for wanting things, and for chasing after those things. It’s a story that deals with difficult topics in a both honest and fun way at the same time.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for the eARC and the opportunity to read this gem in exchange for an honest review! I absolutely love this book and recommend it with all my heart!

Rating:
5 stars

Get your own copy:
Bookshop.org
Amazon
Book Depository

​Author info:
Everina Maxwell