Genre: Sci-Fi
LGBTQ+ Category: Bi, Demi, Lesbian, Non-Binary, Trans MTF
Reviewer: Sci-Fi, Space Marines
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About The Book
Treason, loyalty, and revenge in the heart of deep space.
Captain Hollis Ives has gone up against pirates before—specifically, against Captain Mad Dog, the pirates’ de facto leader. So when Naval High Command orders an attack on the pirate stronghold, Hollis knows damn well this mission won’t be as simple as the Commodore expects. And that’s not all—there’s someone from the Level, maybe in the navy itself, who wants her very dead.
Former naval officer Silas Hunt wanted Mad Dog’s help to take out the corruption in the navy. But her plans to strike back go far beyond any revenge he possibly could have dreamed up. Silas has to decide where his loyalties stand, and whatever he chooses, someone he cares for will die for it—either his former friends and crewmates in the navy, or the crew of the Sweet Jenny. And that’s only if he survives the naval attack on Blackrock to begin with.
Treasure Island meets Master and Commander with a science-fiction twist in R.M. Olson’s thrilling new space opera series, The Devil and the Dark.
The Review
Book 2 of The Devil and the Dark series, this continues the adventures of Silas, Hollis, Gracie and the rest. Overruling Admiral Usher, the navy has sent a fleet against Blackrock, with Hollis as part of the fleet. In the meantime, Gracie and Silas are on their way to the Level, planning to steal more classified information from the navy.
The pirates fight back and the naval fleet are struggling, but the Commodore doesn’t want to listen to Hollis’ concerns about Mad Dog. When they’re proved true and Sweet Jenny appears to wreak havoc, Hollis offers to follow the pirates to draw them away from the fleet.
But Hollis is walking into a trap, and Mad Dog wants her dead.
This one was just as good as the first and had me on the edge of my seat, gnawing at my fingernails. I loved how Hollis is always out to find a solution, even when she’s barely keeping herself conscious. I was again in the situation where I wanted Hollis to win, but also Mad Dog to not lose, like I wanted the Level Fleet destroyed and Hollis to survive because the f**king navy deserves to burn!
For all of Mad Dog’s statements that Hollis chose the navy and hence deserves to die, I don’t think she realises just how few options someone from the Stacks has. Though she’s a pirate now, Gracie was born in the Level and had lived a life of privilege till it was taken away, and Silas is the same, so neither of them actually understands what it is like for someone born in the Stacks.
The book ended in a cliffhanger – Imma go read Book 3 now.
Space opera, underdogs against the system, complex and real characters you can get behind, as well as political intrigue and adventure. You will love this book.
The Reviewer
Rari is an author and editor writing under the name of Niranjan K. She is an avid reader of all things fantasy, and loves to discourse at length about her favourite books as well as shows. This blog is the space where she will be sharing her views and insights of the books, shows and movies that she likes.
