Misery Bay

Neskan Chronicles #3

by Owen Lach

Adan Testa knew the answers were out there. Yet, uncovering them only revealed more questions, more secrets, and far more danger. But on his journey to Neska's remote Dellan Islands, the hunted has become the hunter. Adan isn't running–he's driven, fueled by the mysteries that still haunt him. And what awaits is a terrifying unknown and a confrontation that could destroy everything he holds true.

Don't miss this action-packed new installment in best-selling author Owen Lach’s breathtaking Queer YA Sci-Fi series The Neskan Chronicles!

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, LGBT, Gay, Adventure

378 pages, Paperback

Published April 23, 2024

About the author

Best-selling author Owen Lach writes tales of queer love and adventure for YA sci-fi and romance readers. His passion for diverse voices shines in worlds where characters find their power and embark on unforgettable journeys. When he’s not writing, Owen seeks inspiration in the works of other queer, femme, trans, and POC authors or unwinds in the vibrant worlds of anime and video games. For Owen, stories are more than words. They’re bridges to understanding, windows to new experiences, and the beating heart of human connection. Join him in exploring imagination’s boundless possibilities.

Reviews

[Sarah Sheppard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misery Bay, much like the first two books of the Neskan Chronicles, is an action-packed YA adventure. Adan Testa, our main character, continues to grow and grapple with the reality of their group's situation, weighing the burden of leadership and the cost of violence against its necessity throughout his journey. For me, the story shines most in the way it tempers the more tense aspects of the plot with chances for the characters to catch their breath and reflect. While Misery Bay is absolutely thrilling from start to finish, it never feels too intense. What makes The Neskan Chronicles such a great YA series is the characters determination to learn how to communicate effectively within their relationships- whether those relationships are friendships, romantic partnerships, or leadership roles.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Korey Broderick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was first posted at Korey B.

Owen Lach's Misery Bay soars with a potent blend of action, complex characters, and a universe begging to be explored.

Adan Testa's exhilarating journey continues in the latest installment in the Neskan Chronicles series. This action-packed adventure throws Adan into a bolder, more uncertain role as he navigates escalating dangers on Neska’s remote Dellan Islands.

Lach masterfully crafts relentless battles that raise the stakes without feeling gratuitous. Adan's unique abilities face their ultimate test, but the story's heart lies in his personal growth. We witness his transformation from a laundry worker in the first book to a leader grappling with the complexities of wielding power. Lach doesn't shy away from the toll violence takes, even in a righteous cause, forcing Adan to confront the moral burden of his actions.

This introspective depth amidst the chaos elevates the story. Adan's chosen family remains his grounding force. Lach explores themes of love, loyalty, and the crucial support systems that fuel our ability to overcome adversity.

The world of Neska feels richly expansive by this point. Vibrant descriptions immerse us in its farthest corners, mirroring Adan's sense of exploration. Lach’s engaging writing keeps the pages turning. This is a shining example of the strengths of queer YA sci-fi: a potent blend of action, complex characters, and a universe begging to be explored.

Misery Bay offers no easy answers, leaving us on a thrilling cliffhanger, yearning for more. Thankfully, the quest to uncover the truth continues, setting the stage for a sure-to-be-explosive fourth book.

[Ava · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Neska Chronicles hits warp speed in Misery Bay with Adan tackling brutal dangers on the remote Dellan Islands. Lach throws us into intense battles with sky-high stakes, but Adan's growth as a leader steals the show. He grapples with the weight of responsibility and the heavy emotional toll of tough choices. Thankfully, Adan's BG Garun remains his rock. Lach's vivid writing keeps you glued to the page. A must-read for queer scif-fi fans!

[Jesse Blasco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misery Bay cranks the action in the Neskan Chronicles to eleven, but Lach never loses sight of character development. Adan's growth is seriously impressive. He's facing his leadership struggles and the emotional fallout of violence head-on in a way that feels authentic and grounded. Plus, major props for the awesome queer and trans rep! That ending, though? I thought I'd cracked the plot twist, but Lach totally outsmarted me!

[Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adan Testa's journey takes a giant leap forward in Misery Bay as he sheds his follower skin and embraces his role as a leader. Gone are the days of simply reacting. Adan is making proactive choices, and Lach expertly explores the toll this responsibility takes on his psyche and emotional state, creating a complex and deeply relatable hero. Lach also takes us deeper into the heart of Neska, revealing hidden corners of this fascinating world. And let's not forget the action. Lach writes some of the most thrilling, heart-pounding action sequences I've ever encountered in a YA novel. Misery Bay is a must-read for fans of the series. You'll laugh, cry, white-knuckle your way through edge-of-your-seat fights, and be left desperately wanting the next book!

[Chris Monceaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Thank you to Jetspace Studio for providing a copy of the book. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***

I wanted to love Misery Bay. Unfortunately, I struggled with this one. I'm not quite sure why, though. It had plenty of action and answered many of the mysteries from previous books. My best guess is that I got bored with the length of the quest. I'm not a huge fan of the quest trope in general, and this one has been going on for three books now. I did become more engaged once the characters reached their endpoint and quickly tore through the last quarter of the book. Everything before that was just more of the same that they'd faced on the journey. Travel. Stop. Get in trouble. Repeat.

Misery Bay also included some plot points that seemed forced and didn't really make sense to me. There was a point where things happened that separated the characters, and I got the feeling that it occurred just because the author wanted them separated. The rationale for the actions was eventually divulged later in the book, and it still didn't make sense to me even after the explanation. There was also an instance of the main character not asking a very obvious question until it was pointed out to him, and it felt very out of character for it to not be one of the first things he asked.

I did still love the characters in Misery Bay, though. Adan is a great protagonist, and he experienced a lot of growth over the course of this book. He developed leadership skills and took on a much more prominent role in the group. He also began coming to terms with the violence he's been surrounded by and whether the things he has done have been slowly desensitizing him into a monster. Its impacts on him and his relationships were explored, and the author once again did a wonderful job of writing engaging group dynamics, including some beautiful moments between Adan and both Garun and Bo.

Misery Bay also had quite a few exciting reveals that added to the history of the world and its lore. I won't spoil anything, but I was actually really happy with what we learned and came away from the book feeling satisfied with the answers to many of the long-standing mysteries of the series. However, I do wish the characters had visited some more memorable locales. The different ports just blurred together for me, and I think that might've also contributed to my difficulty staying engaged with the first parts of the book. There were some pretty awesome scenes on the water, though, which helped keep things interesting.

Overall, Misery Bay was a solid installment in the series with good character growth and some satisfying answers to many mysteries. Unfortunately, the plot just didn't stand out to me, and I had a hard time remaining engaged at times, especially in the first half. Therefore, I give Misery Bay a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.

See more of my reviews and other bookish content on my blog.

[Drakoulis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adan Testa's journey for answers continues in the 3rd installment of the Neskan Chronicles. This time, his group is island hopping in the Dellian Islands following the traces of the first colonizers, while facing new adversaries who want to control Adan and his super-armor, Besi.

The book has a travelling found family vibe while leaning more on Adan growing into a leader and accepting that he has to fight fire with fire, which is an interesting and welcome variation from the standard SFF archetype of the noble hero who refuses to punch back (to the point of stupidity).

The plot twists at the end give some answers to questions hanging around since the first book, while moving the pieces for the next installment of the series!

Thank you NetGalley and Jetspace Studios for the ARC!

[Emma Pinthong · Rating 5 out of 5]

The epic quest has to be one of my favorite tropes. Who can deny the impact of a great hero's journey? Adan's journey in Misery Bay is no different, growing into a natural leader through meaningful experiences. We also get to see so much more of Neska's stunning landscapes, from mountain valleys and scorching deserts to vast oceans. The vivid storm imagery throws you right into the heart of the fight during the action scenes. And those plot twists! I thought I had it all figured out, but Lach surprised me again. Misery Bay is a thrilling addition to the Neskan Chronicles that fans shouldn't miss.

[Eric Starker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of this series so far and was looking forward to find out what happens next. While the romances did develop further and were well-handled, I really enjoyed how action-packed this sequel was, and learning some of the secrets of just who Adan is and where he comes from, which didn't go where I expected at all (and I always appreciate not being able to predict what happens next). It was compelling from start to finish, and even the slower moments (mostly Sander's logs) had a satisfying payoff in the end. Definitely recommended and I can't wait for the next one!

[Rob Badger · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the story

I have really enjoyed reading the first three books in the series, hopefully the fourth one will be released soon.