What do you think?
Rate this book
Sentient Stars #2
Parallax
From award-winning scifi fantasy author Amber Toro comes an action-packed sequel of galactic proportions.
The tenuous alliances of the United Tribal Axis have fractured, breaking humanity into warring factions. Hinata finds himself fighting a losing war against an opponent that doesn’t play by the rules. While Freyja focuses all of her efforts on uncovering the origin of the signal that she is convinced is the key to revealing the source of the chaos ripping their society apart. Upon returning from an outer rim mission, Freyja realizes that Skyla hasn’t received a single communication they've sent in months and must convince Hinata to abandon his post to mount a rescue mission in search of the missing captain. But there are forces at play larger than any of them realize.
The tenuous alliances of the United Tribal Axis have fractured, breaking humanity into warring factions. Hinata finds himself fighting a losing war against an opponent that doesn’t play by the rules. While Freyja focuses all of her efforts on uncovering the origin of the signal that she is convinced is the key to revealing the source of the chaos ripping their society apart. Upon returning from an outer rim mission, Freyja realizes that Skyla hasn’t received a single communication they've sent in months and must convince Hinata to abandon his post to mount a rescue mission in search of the missing captain. But there are forces at play larger than any of them realize.
383 pages, Paperback
First published May 20, 2025
22 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 8, 2025
This review was originally published on Before We Go Blog
4.5 stars
Amber Toro is shooting for the stars in Parallax, and you better believe she is not going to miss. This second instalment in the astronomically epic Sentient Stars series somehow goes bigger and gets more intimate all at once, and it’s got a dangerously addictive level of tension that will just have you blazing through the pages.
Even though Parallax picks up roughly six months after the bittersweet event at the end of Umbra, it took me just about one page to feel completely reimmersed in this world and reinvested in the characters. I mean, we start off with one of the most heart pounding and heart wrenching first chapters I have probably ever read, which just perfectly set the tone and instantly had me locked in for all the chaos to come.
Now, whereas Freyja was easily my favourite character in Umbra, I genuinely loved all three perspectives qually here (just don’t tell Freyja that, okay?). Whether it was Skyla’s deadly adventure (together with the goodest boy Fenrir) on a distant planet on the hunt for answers about her father, Hinata’s desperate attempts to lead his people in the war against a diabolical opponent refusing to play by the rules, or Freyja’s mission to uncovering the origin of the mysterious signal that could lead them to the root of the chaos tearing their entire universe apart; I was truly captivated by it all, and I loved how Toro effortlessly switched back and forth between them all to keep up the pacing and create that utterly addictive ‘just one more chapter’ quality.
To me, the earned character growth for each of these three powerhouses was so compelling and strong that the side characters almost started to pale in comparison (okay except for Kylian and Tristan, where do I sign up for their spin-off?!), but I honestly didn’t even mind that too much. Moreover, I loved the tentative yet strong development of the many complex interpersonal relationships that lie at the heart of this story, be they romantic, antagonistic, platonic, familial or something altogether more complicated in between it all. Honestly, forget the exhilarating space battles, it’s the battles of wits and wills between these headstrong characters and the wars that they are waging in their own minds that kept me glued to the page the most.
And ooooh baby, does Toro know how to write a good will-they-won’t-they slooooow-burn romance full of angst, denial, sexual tension, mutual pining, and so much burning passion! Each of these characters is caught in a crossfire between their heads and their hearts, torn between duty and desire, and I was honestly living for the emotional turmoil of it all. And yes, I often wanted to strangle them for their frustrating actions (especially looking at you, Freyja, my guy Kylian deserves better), but the character work is simply so strong that I can’t even blame them because I totally understood their reasoning and motivations. Also, I really appreciate that these characters are not afraid to call each other out on their bullshit; the dangerously sharp dialogue and snarky banter is just to die for!
Now, I will fully admit that I am personally more here for the character journeys rather than the whole space civil war, but I honestly love that way that Toro managed to make me care by doing such a phenomenal job of balancing and interweaving all the internal/interpersonal conflicts with the external conflicts. Sure, some of the more sciencey aspects and the intricate political scheming might go over my head a bit sometimes, but I really appreciated that the plot progression and worldbuilding never suffered for the increased focus on the characters’ journeys. We get to spend so much time exploring new environments, uncovering more lore about Earth That Was, and diving even deeper into the special bond between AI starship and captain (Pele and Tentei have my heart) together with these characters, and all the twists, turns, and revelations had me going “OH SHIT!!” more times than I can count.
Ultimately, there just wasn’t a single dull moment in this book for me, and I honestly think Parallax is everything you could wish for in a strong and satisfying sequel. There were so many memorable moments that had my heart in my throat, and I am not ashamed to admit that I devoured this book in just two days. The Sentient Stars series is quickly shaping up to become one of my favourite fast-paced yet character-driven space opera adventures, and the ominously enticing ending left me desperate for the next instalment already.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Parallax is scheduled for release on May 20th, 2025.
4.5 stars
Amber Toro is shooting for the stars in Parallax, and you better believe she is not going to miss. This second instalment in the astronomically epic Sentient Stars series somehow goes bigger and gets more intimate all at once, and it’s got a dangerously addictive level of tension that will just have you blazing through the pages.
Even though Parallax picks up roughly six months after the bittersweet event at the end of Umbra, it took me just about one page to feel completely reimmersed in this world and reinvested in the characters. I mean, we start off with one of the most heart pounding and heart wrenching first chapters I have probably ever read, which just perfectly set the tone and instantly had me locked in for all the chaos to come.
Now, whereas Freyja was easily my favourite character in Umbra, I genuinely loved all three perspectives qually here (just don’t tell Freyja that, okay?). Whether it was Skyla’s deadly adventure (together with the goodest boy Fenrir) on a distant planet on the hunt for answers about her father, Hinata’s desperate attempts to lead his people in the war against a diabolical opponent refusing to play by the rules, or Freyja’s mission to uncovering the origin of the mysterious signal that could lead them to the root of the chaos tearing their entire universe apart; I was truly captivated by it all, and I loved how Toro effortlessly switched back and forth between them all to keep up the pacing and create that utterly addictive ‘just one more chapter’ quality.
To me, the earned character growth for each of these three powerhouses was so compelling and strong that the side characters almost started to pale in comparison (okay except for Kylian and Tristan, where do I sign up for their spin-off?!), but I honestly didn’t even mind that too much. Moreover, I loved the tentative yet strong development of the many complex interpersonal relationships that lie at the heart of this story, be they romantic, antagonistic, platonic, familial or something altogether more complicated in between it all. Honestly, forget the exhilarating space battles, it’s the battles of wits and wills between these headstrong characters and the wars that they are waging in their own minds that kept me glued to the page the most.
And ooooh baby, does Toro know how to write a good will-they-won’t-they slooooow-burn romance full of angst, denial, sexual tension, mutual pining, and so much burning passion! Each of these characters is caught in a crossfire between their heads and their hearts, torn between duty and desire, and I was honestly living for the emotional turmoil of it all. And yes, I often wanted to strangle them for their frustrating actions (especially looking at you, Freyja, my guy Kylian deserves better), but the character work is simply so strong that I can’t even blame them because I totally understood their reasoning and motivations. Also, I really appreciate that these characters are not afraid to call each other out on their bullshit; the dangerously sharp dialogue and snarky banter is just to die for!
Now, I will fully admit that I am personally more here for the character journeys rather than the whole space civil war, but I honestly love that way that Toro managed to make me care by doing such a phenomenal job of balancing and interweaving all the internal/interpersonal conflicts with the external conflicts. Sure, some of the more sciencey aspects and the intricate political scheming might go over my head a bit sometimes, but I really appreciated that the plot progression and worldbuilding never suffered for the increased focus on the characters’ journeys. We get to spend so much time exploring new environments, uncovering more lore about Earth That Was, and diving even deeper into the special bond between AI starship and captain (Pele and Tentei have my heart) together with these characters, and all the twists, turns, and revelations had me going “OH SHIT!!” more times than I can count.
Ultimately, there just wasn’t a single dull moment in this book for me, and I honestly think Parallax is everything you could wish for in a strong and satisfying sequel. There were so many memorable moments that had my heart in my throat, and I am not ashamed to admit that I devoured this book in just two days. The Sentient Stars series is quickly shaping up to become one of my favourite fast-paced yet character-driven space opera adventures, and the ominously enticing ending left me desperate for the next instalment already.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Parallax is scheduled for release on May 20th, 2025.
May 3, 2025
What an excellent sci-fi series this is turning out to be! Umbra surprised me by giving me three POV characters who I really liked, navigating their way through a story filled with intrigue, betrayal, conflict, discovery, and a dash of romance too. I felt that Parallax built on all that – by scaling back.
The whole book felt more centred on the characters and their relationships, giving us some great character-building moments. The threads of the story from Umbra are largely in the background here, but are most definitely still being followed. Here though, the narrative has a more narrow focus which works really well and left me feeling very much at home with the key cast we follow.
I really enjoyed the different scenes and settings that the scaling back delivers, even as we're given constant reminders that there is the bigger picture the characters are working towards. It serves as a good way to facilitate the passing of time during the opening period of this great war, while also providing plenty of worldbuilding that not only enriches the overall story, but also helps point our characters towards the answers they need to begin fighting back.
I thought the writing was excellent, with great pacing throughout, and the author showcases a real talent for ramping up the intensity of a scene, whether that be in battle, in other life-or-death moments, or in the bedroom. There were a lot of really memorable scenes in this book, from dangerous underwater explorations to acts of space piracy with unexpected consequences. It all comes together really well to make Parallax a fantastic read, and make Sentient Stars a series I'll prioritise when the next book becomes available.
The whole book felt more centred on the characters and their relationships, giving us some great character-building moments. The threads of the story from Umbra are largely in the background here, but are most definitely still being followed. Here though, the narrative has a more narrow focus which works really well and left me feeling very much at home with the key cast we follow.
I really enjoyed the different scenes and settings that the scaling back delivers, even as we're given constant reminders that there is the bigger picture the characters are working towards. It serves as a good way to facilitate the passing of time during the opening period of this great war, while also providing plenty of worldbuilding that not only enriches the overall story, but also helps point our characters towards the answers they need to begin fighting back.
I thought the writing was excellent, with great pacing throughout, and the author showcases a real talent for ramping up the intensity of a scene, whether that be in battle, in other life-or-death moments, or in the bedroom. There were a lot of really memorable scenes in this book, from dangerous underwater explorations to acts of space piracy with unexpected consequences. It all comes together really well to make Parallax a fantastic read, and make Sentient Stars a series I'll prioritise when the next book becomes available.
October 2, 2025
Parallax is a good sequel! I was happy to spend time with the gang again, and I really liked Freya’s story this time (she was my least favorite in Umbra). There was some good action, a great conclusion, and some really well done emotional moments. For me, it took a while to get all the characters together and I thought Skyla’s story in particular —especially regarding rescues—took a while to get going.
All in all, this was a great read, an excellent audio, and good sequel. Can’t wait for more from Amber!
All in all, this was a great read, an excellent audio, and good sequel. Can’t wait for more from Amber!
April 15, 2025
Just finished and this was just as good as Umbra!
I loved being reunited with Skyla, Hinata and the gang. I really enjoyed how Skyla and Hinata changed the further we went on in this book. As for poor Kylian...Well, let's just say I hope he has more luck in the next book and leave it there.
Like Umbra, Parallax had plenty of heartstopping action, but it was also interspersed with some heartwarming moments between our main characters.
That was another great ending, but it's definitely left me wanting the next book already. Like, I really need to know more!
This was really well written, and even though we again interchanged between the three different POVs, the story still flowed really well. I also have to give a shoutout to Amber's descriptions of some of the places we encounter throughout the book. I personally think they were really well done.
Thank you so much to Amber for the eARC of Parallax.
If you haven't started this series yet, then you really should. I can't recommend it highly enough!
I loved being reunited with Skyla, Hinata and the gang. I really enjoyed how Skyla and Hinata changed the further we went on in this book. As for poor Kylian...Well, let's just say I hope he has more luck in the next book and leave it there.
Like Umbra, Parallax had plenty of heartstopping action, but it was also interspersed with some heartwarming moments between our main characters.
That was another great ending, but it's definitely left me wanting the next book already. Like, I really need to know more!
This was really well written, and even though we again interchanged between the three different POVs, the story still flowed really well. I also have to give a shoutout to Amber's descriptions of some of the places we encounter throughout the book. I personally think they were really well done.
Thank you so much to Amber for the eARC of Parallax.
If you haven't started this series yet, then you really should. I can't recommend it highly enough!
April 25, 2025
*ARC Review * 4.5 ⭐
Parallax:Sentient Stars book 2- by Amber Toro
I read book 1 “Umbra” in the Indie Author Project contest- which it won for the Sci-fi/Fantasy category! And was lucky enough to get book 2 as an ARC from author Amber Toro!
General Spoilers if you haven’t read book 1.
This was such a solid book 2. It starts at 100 and never lets up! We have a space civil war, being trapped on an ice planet, space gangs, and a subsequent rescue mission. And that’s a broad stroke description.
It’s a triple POV with the 3 main characters, and each gets some pretty even page time. You know here’s the thing, there is always a POV you just don’t like. And I did have one. But the side characters in their POV made it worth it. Even without their own POVs the side characters are fleshed out and full of personality. There are moments I genuinely forgot the AI ships were not human beings, they have their own personalities that are just as strong.
I was left thinking some characters were making progress, some were not my cup of tea but begrudgingly accepted their importance, some had some exciting potential storylines, and some were super SUS.
We have a lot of loose ends, which is expected in a set up book, ramping up to the big finale. Oh, and of course a CLIFFHANGER ENDING. I am excited to see how they get tied up!
(Side note- Hinata the MMC has such strong Captain Shang from Mulan vibes and I LOVE IT)
I’ll have the same review on both Storygraph and Goodreads.
Parallax:Sentient Stars book 2- by Amber Toro
I read book 1 “Umbra” in the Indie Author Project contest- which it won for the Sci-fi/Fantasy category! And was lucky enough to get book 2 as an ARC from author Amber Toro!
General Spoilers if you haven’t read book 1.
This was such a solid book 2. It starts at 100 and never lets up! We have a space civil war, being trapped on an ice planet, space gangs, and a subsequent rescue mission. And that’s a broad stroke description.
It’s a triple POV with the 3 main characters, and each gets some pretty even page time. You know here’s the thing, there is always a POV you just don’t like. And I did have one. But the side characters in their POV made it worth it. Even without their own POVs the side characters are fleshed out and full of personality. There are moments I genuinely forgot the AI ships were not human beings, they have their own personalities that are just as strong.
I was left thinking some characters were making progress, some were not my cup of tea but begrudgingly accepted their importance, some had some exciting potential storylines, and some were super SUS.
We have a lot of loose ends, which is expected in a set up book, ramping up to the big finale. Oh, and of course a CLIFFHANGER ENDING. I am excited to see how they get tied up!
(Side note- Hinata the MMC has such strong Captain Shang from Mulan vibes and I LOVE IT)
I’ll have the same review on both Storygraph and Goodreads.
May 15, 2025
Thank you Amber Toro for the free gift!!
Amber Toro does it again—Parallax is a thrilling, emotional, and richly layered sequel that raises the stakes and deepens the heart of the Sentient Stars Trilogy.
Returning to this universe felt like stepping into something electric. The worldbuilding is sharp, immersive, and high-stakes, but never overwhelms the emotional throughlines of the story. Freyja’s hunt for the source of the mysterious signal, Hinata’s struggle on the frontlines, and Skyla’s disappearance all come together in a perfectly orchestrated crescendo of tension, heartbreak, and hope.
Toro’s ability to balance fast-paced sci-fi action with romantic tension and emotional depth is incredible. I was fully on edge through most of the book—desperate for answers, terrified for the characters, and so invested in the relationships. The reunion between Skyla and Hinata? Absolutely devastating in the best way.
Every character shines with personality and purpose, and I love how the story constantly asks big questions while still grounding everything in human connection.
I cannot wait to see how this trilogy wraps up. Parallax is a phenomenal middle book—complex, compelling, and unputdownable.
Amber Toro does it again—Parallax is a thrilling, emotional, and richly layered sequel that raises the stakes and deepens the heart of the Sentient Stars Trilogy.
Returning to this universe felt like stepping into something electric. The worldbuilding is sharp, immersive, and high-stakes, but never overwhelms the emotional throughlines of the story. Freyja’s hunt for the source of the mysterious signal, Hinata’s struggle on the frontlines, and Skyla’s disappearance all come together in a perfectly orchestrated crescendo of tension, heartbreak, and hope.
Toro’s ability to balance fast-paced sci-fi action with romantic tension and emotional depth is incredible. I was fully on edge through most of the book—desperate for answers, terrified for the characters, and so invested in the relationships. The reunion between Skyla and Hinata? Absolutely devastating in the best way.
Every character shines with personality and purpose, and I love how the story constantly asks big questions while still grounding everything in human connection.
I cannot wait to see how this trilogy wraps up. Parallax is a phenomenal middle book—complex, compelling, and unputdownable.
May 29, 2025
Romance, space-adventure, monsters, and found family.
Following along on this adventure is so fun and I really enjoyed this second installment. It’s got fierce battles, slow burn romance (that does turn into more in this book so be sure to know that going in), and twists that will keep you guessing as to what will happen next.
I loved the world descriptions and unique dangers faced in this book but also the fun, space-side adventures that make this space opera sparkle.
This series is a lot of fun and I can’t wait for the next installment!
Note: Some language and a few spicy scenes.
My rating: 4.2*
Thanks to the author for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Following along on this adventure is so fun and I really enjoyed this second installment. It’s got fierce battles, slow burn romance (that does turn into more in this book so be sure to know that going in), and twists that will keep you guessing as to what will happen next.
I loved the world descriptions and unique dangers faced in this book but also the fun, space-side adventures that make this space opera sparkle.
This series is a lot of fun and I can’t wait for the next installment!
Note: Some language and a few spicy scenes.
My rating: 4.2*
Thanks to the author for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
April 28, 2025
Thank you @ambertoro for the opportunity of reading an advance copy of "Parallax", the second book in the "Sentient Stars" series.
Wow! This book was solid, action-packed, and absolutely gripping. I went through a full spectrum of emotions while reading it—each chapter ends with a mystery that keeps you flipping pages, and the character growth, charisma, and banter are incredibly engaging. I gasped, I laughed, I felt sadness—it had everything.
The writing is fantastic; the words flow effortlessly, and the adventure is truly captivating. I absolutely loved the plot. I had already read an ARC of Umbra, and the second book did not disappoint. 👏
This sci-fi space opera delivers everything you could want: action on a galactic scale, deep emotions, slow-burn relationships, found family dynamics, mystery, adventure, humor, and a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. It’s a thrilling ride from start to finish!
𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓲𝓼𝓱 🫰
Wow! This book was solid, action-packed, and absolutely gripping. I went through a full spectrum of emotions while reading it—each chapter ends with a mystery that keeps you flipping pages, and the character growth, charisma, and banter are incredibly engaging. I gasped, I laughed, I felt sadness—it had everything.
The writing is fantastic; the words flow effortlessly, and the adventure is truly captivating. I absolutely loved the plot. I had already read an ARC of Umbra, and the second book did not disappoint. 👏
This sci-fi space opera delivers everything you could want: action on a galactic scale, deep emotions, slow-burn relationships, found family dynamics, mystery, adventure, humor, and a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. It’s a thrilling ride from start to finish!
𝓢𝓽𝓪𝔂 𝓑𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓲𝓼𝓱 🫰
June 19, 2025
This is what a sequel should be in sci-fi!
Parallax took what was already a great story in book one, Umbra, and leveled it up to the next dimension. The character work was fantastic; none of the slow-burn approaches to these characters was dragged out this go-around. Freyja especially, who I didn't particularly care for in book one, was stepped up in a way I appreciated.
The action sequences were descriptive and a ton of fun, as well as some space battles thrown in there.
And the lore. For me, the lore is the best part of this story. There is this intriguing mystery of what exactly happened in the past, which you want to know even more due to the fact that those past events (or powers?) are clearly impacting the present-day story. The book ended on a cliffhanger that had me yearning for more in this respect.
Be forewarned, the author does double-down on the romance aspect of the story in this installment. That's by no means a bad thing, as it's marketed as such, but it does reach a new level in this one compared to book one. However, as a non-romance reader, it didn't pull me from what is otherwise another great space opera tale. I only bring it up because if you're not into romance and spice, this one may be a little much for you.
If you enjoy epic space adventures, sentient starships, intriguing and mysterious lore, and humanity trying to find its way out in the stars, all with Battlestar Galactica meets Indiana Jones-type vibes - this will be your jam, especially if you're also a romance reader.
Parallax took what was already a great story in book one, Umbra, and leveled it up to the next dimension. The character work was fantastic; none of the slow-burn approaches to these characters was dragged out this go-around. Freyja especially, who I didn't particularly care for in book one, was stepped up in a way I appreciated.
The action sequences were descriptive and a ton of fun, as well as some space battles thrown in there.
And the lore. For me, the lore is the best part of this story. There is this intriguing mystery of what exactly happened in the past, which you want to know even more due to the fact that those past events (or powers?) are clearly impacting the present-day story. The book ended on a cliffhanger that had me yearning for more in this respect.
Be forewarned, the author does double-down on the romance aspect of the story in this installment. That's by no means a bad thing, as it's marketed as such, but it does reach a new level in this one compared to book one. However, as a non-romance reader, it didn't pull me from what is otherwise another great space opera tale. I only bring it up because if you're not into romance and spice, this one may be a little much for you.
If you enjoy epic space adventures, sentient starships, intriguing and mysterious lore, and humanity trying to find its way out in the stars, all with Battlestar Galactica meets Indiana Jones-type vibes - this will be your jam, especially if you're also a romance reader.
May 20, 2025
Following the events of Umbra which left our heroes scattered and each seeking out their own answers to mysteries involving family, mysterious signals, and the dissolution of the United Tribal Axis, Parallax picks up their stories of love, honor, and revenge. They’ll need to come together again to but first they’ll need to face some hard truths about who they are and what they really need.
As with Umbra, Amber does a fantastic job of weaving the stories of Skyla, Hinata, and Freyja together through multiple POVs with each chapter pulling you in and leaving you wanting to know what happens next. I was most frustrated by the slow reigniting between Skyla and Hinata but it pays off in a beautiful burning. Theirs isn’t the only love story happening and each of the others are just as beautiful and how they play out affects the story as a whole.
It’s not all love stories in space though. We get science, history, archaeology, politics, and of course great fighting scenes. Everything you want in a great sci-fi story. The stakes are still high, but this story is a little more focused on character development and building the bridges needed to get us where we’re going. And like any good series we get answers but are left with more questions that I can’t wait to get answers to in the next entry. If you like sci-fi and romance then you need to add this to your TBR ASAP!
As with Umbra, Amber does a fantastic job of weaving the stories of Skyla, Hinata, and Freyja together through multiple POVs with each chapter pulling you in and leaving you wanting to know what happens next. I was most frustrated by the slow reigniting between Skyla and Hinata but it pays off in a beautiful burning. Theirs isn’t the only love story happening and each of the others are just as beautiful and how they play out affects the story as a whole.
It’s not all love stories in space though. We get science, history, archaeology, politics, and of course great fighting scenes. Everything you want in a great sci-fi story. The stakes are still high, but this story is a little more focused on character development and building the bridges needed to get us where we’re going. And like any good series we get answers but are left with more questions that I can’t wait to get answers to in the next entry. If you like sci-fi and romance then you need to add this to your TBR ASAP!
May 5, 2025
This is turning out to be such an excellent sci-fi series!! LOVED the POVs and getting different settings that helped build beyond some of the “main characters”
Another great ending and so much of it leaving me with wanting more! ✨
Another great ending and so much of it leaving me with wanting more! ✨
June 26, 2025
This review can also be found at: https://fanfiaddict.com/review-parall...
Rating - 4.5/5
With Umbra last year and now Parallax, which released just last month, Amber Toro has created a fascinating sci-fi universe with deep and layered protagonists who I will be following as long as she decides to keep writing books.
I read the first book in the Sentient Stars series a couple of months back and then dove into Parallax once the summer hit. Both share a slow-burn romance quality that permeates throughout, but there is more than just love stories here. Toro has set up multiple sci-fi storylines that keep the plot moving forward along with compelling and blood-pounding action.
When I saw the “Romance” angle was a selling feature and that there were three main point-of-view characters, I was initially worried it would be a love triangle. I’m happy to see that Toro didn’t go the easy route, instead crafting interesting backstories to set the three leads up with separate motivations and desires.
Umbra set everything up with Freyja, Skyla, and Hinata sharing the spotlight. Throughout these books, Toro weaves their stories together -- literally -- with each of them as POV characters, bouncing from one to the other with each chapter. Even then, the narrative keeps pushing forward, almost willing the characters to stay involved in each other's lives in the process.
With just two books under her belt, Toro is already establishing herself as a writer to pay attention to. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does next in the Sentient Stars books and what mysteries our characters solve in their futuristic look at humanity. In fact, the title of the series gives us even more. Some of the vessels in Toro’s universe have advanced artificial intelligences, imprinting on a few of our characters basically at birth. So that means the ships themselves are their own characters with their own unique motivations, providing a little more sauce to the wonderfully plated meal put before us.
Now, she does a lot right, but Parallax isn't perfect. I dinged the final score just a little based on supporting characters and the greater storyline. Our main three characters are expertly crafted, but unfortunately that means that some of the side characters are left a little one-dimensional. The strength of our leads definitely covers it up, but a little more backstory on a few of them would be helpful, I think. Also, since the entirety of the book is from three characters' perspective, we sometimes don’t see what’s happening in the rest of the universe until our characters get there. That isn’t always a bad thing, but with an expansive space empire, it seems a little smallish at times.
But those are very small nitpicks. I had a great time with Parallax, especially seeing our characters separate at the end of Umbra and how that affects them and ultimately brings them back together in this sequel. Toro expertly leaves us wanting more at the end, and I will be waiting for book 3, whenever it shows up on my Kindle.
Rating - 4.5/5
With Umbra last year and now Parallax, which released just last month, Amber Toro has created a fascinating sci-fi universe with deep and layered protagonists who I will be following as long as she decides to keep writing books.
I read the first book in the Sentient Stars series a couple of months back and then dove into Parallax once the summer hit. Both share a slow-burn romance quality that permeates throughout, but there is more than just love stories here. Toro has set up multiple sci-fi storylines that keep the plot moving forward along with compelling and blood-pounding action.
When I saw the “Romance” angle was a selling feature and that there were three main point-of-view characters, I was initially worried it would be a love triangle. I’m happy to see that Toro didn’t go the easy route, instead crafting interesting backstories to set the three leads up with separate motivations and desires.
Umbra set everything up with Freyja, Skyla, and Hinata sharing the spotlight. Throughout these books, Toro weaves their stories together -- literally -- with each of them as POV characters, bouncing from one to the other with each chapter. Even then, the narrative keeps pushing forward, almost willing the characters to stay involved in each other's lives in the process.
With just two books under her belt, Toro is already establishing herself as a writer to pay attention to. I’m looking forward to seeing what she does next in the Sentient Stars books and what mysteries our characters solve in their futuristic look at humanity. In fact, the title of the series gives us even more. Some of the vessels in Toro’s universe have advanced artificial intelligences, imprinting on a few of our characters basically at birth. So that means the ships themselves are their own characters with their own unique motivations, providing a little more sauce to the wonderfully plated meal put before us.
Now, she does a lot right, but Parallax isn't perfect. I dinged the final score just a little based on supporting characters and the greater storyline. Our main three characters are expertly crafted, but unfortunately that means that some of the side characters are left a little one-dimensional. The strength of our leads definitely covers it up, but a little more backstory on a few of them would be helpful, I think. Also, since the entirety of the book is from three characters' perspective, we sometimes don’t see what’s happening in the rest of the universe until our characters get there. That isn’t always a bad thing, but with an expansive space empire, it seems a little smallish at times.
But those are very small nitpicks. I had a great time with Parallax, especially seeing our characters separate at the end of Umbra and how that affects them and ultimately brings them back together in this sequel. Toro expertly leaves us wanting more at the end, and I will be waiting for book 3, whenever it shows up on my Kindle.
May 7, 2025
First, I want to show this a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨, since Goodreads doesn’t allow for 1/2 star ratings. So 4.5 stars is what my rating is.
Now, on to the good stuff. I was so excited to get to read this ahead of publication, because I’d so throughly enjoyed ‘Umbra’, which is the first book of this sexy space opera, sff themed series.
We open up with Skyla and Pele, her bonded ship, in a bit of a dire situation. She is questioning the wisdom of her choice to chase the trail of a ghost, and leaving Hinata behind to do so. Amber has really done a great job of capturing what Skyla is feeling, through the spectrum of fear to regrets, to determination to save herself, Pele, and her unusual animal companion Fenrir.
Flash to her former companions, Freyja, Kylian, Trista, and Hinata, where they are now dealing with subterfuge from the highest echelons of government. Hinata is now back to commanding a ship, while research continues with Rohaan aboard Freyja’s.
The tension throughout from all the myriad dangerous situations our characters are facing is superbly written. I’d have the same reactions if faced with same sorts of perils. And of course, the tension between Freyja and Kylian is just delicious. It’s sexy without being smutty, and just ramps up throughout the book.
I did want to beat Hinata over the head for being so obtuse with regard to Skyla, when they meet up again. He is just masterful at standing in his own way when it comes to his feelings for her. But hang on, dear readers, as this just ramps up in such a great way!
I think that our author, Amber Toro, has completely avoided the dreaded second book syndrome, with her follow up in the Sentient Stars series. ‘Parallax’ grabbed from page one, and kept me engaged throughout. The tension never lets up, whether is situational or between the characters, and will leave you wanting more after you’ve turned the last page.
Now, on to the good stuff. I was so excited to get to read this ahead of publication, because I’d so throughly enjoyed ‘Umbra’, which is the first book of this sexy space opera, sff themed series.
We open up with Skyla and Pele, her bonded ship, in a bit of a dire situation. She is questioning the wisdom of her choice to chase the trail of a ghost, and leaving Hinata behind to do so. Amber has really done a great job of capturing what Skyla is feeling, through the spectrum of fear to regrets, to determination to save herself, Pele, and her unusual animal companion Fenrir.
Flash to her former companions, Freyja, Kylian, Trista, and Hinata, where they are now dealing with subterfuge from the highest echelons of government. Hinata is now back to commanding a ship, while research continues with Rohaan aboard Freyja’s.
The tension throughout from all the myriad dangerous situations our characters are facing is superbly written. I’d have the same reactions if faced with same sorts of perils. And of course, the tension between Freyja and Kylian is just delicious. It’s sexy without being smutty, and just ramps up throughout the book.
I did want to beat Hinata over the head for being so obtuse with regard to Skyla, when they meet up again. He is just masterful at standing in his own way when it comes to his feelings for her. But hang on, dear readers, as this just ramps up in such a great way!
I think that our author, Amber Toro, has completely avoided the dreaded second book syndrome, with her follow up in the Sentient Stars series. ‘Parallax’ grabbed from page one, and kept me engaged throughout. The tension never lets up, whether is situational or between the characters, and will leave you wanting more after you’ve turned the last page.
May 18, 2025
Battle scenes
Starships!
Found family
Intergalactic adventure
Action packed
Strong female characters
Animal companion
Two budding romances
Sparring
3 POVs
~Thoughts~
And the space opera saga continues!! Parallax is an easy, fun, action packed sci-fi read. I don’t normally read sci-fi, but book 1, Umbra, was soooooo good that I couldn’t wait to read this. It didn’t disappoint!
I love the intergalactic adventure told through three points of view. The story flowed effortlessly and was packed with action. There were air battle scenes, different types of starships, witty banter, strong found family, two budding romances and so much more!
~Meet the main characters~
Skyla- a strong, solo adventurer who wanted to be left alone after leaving the Navy (ex-Captain). She went rogue and found herself in a perilous situation while trying to find her father. I really loved her storyline.
Freyja- the one who won the admiral position and Skyla’s ex-friend who is tired of being a pawn in the Empress’ (her mom) games. Her focus is on uncovering the origin of a signal that she believes is the key to finding out what is tearing their society apart. She realizes that Skyla hasn’t received a single communication they've sent in months and convinces Hinata to abandon his post to go on a rescue mission in search of her.
Hinata- a Navy commander and rule follower who is sentenced to exile for losing the admiral promotion. His world turned upside down once a mysterious woman arrived on his station. He finds himself fighting a losing war against an opponent that doesn’t play by the rules that he SO likes to follow. So….he goes rogue to help find Skyla.
Rating: 4.5/5
Starships!
Found family
Intergalactic adventure
Action packed
Strong female characters
Animal companion
Two budding romances
Sparring
3 POVs
~Thoughts~
And the space opera saga continues!! Parallax is an easy, fun, action packed sci-fi read. I don’t normally read sci-fi, but book 1, Umbra, was soooooo good that I couldn’t wait to read this. It didn’t disappoint!
I love the intergalactic adventure told through three points of view. The story flowed effortlessly and was packed with action. There were air battle scenes, different types of starships, witty banter, strong found family, two budding romances and so much more!
~Meet the main characters~
Skyla- a strong, solo adventurer who wanted to be left alone after leaving the Navy (ex-Captain). She went rogue and found herself in a perilous situation while trying to find her father. I really loved her storyline.
Freyja- the one who won the admiral position and Skyla’s ex-friend who is tired of being a pawn in the Empress’ (her mom) games. Her focus is on uncovering the origin of a signal that she believes is the key to finding out what is tearing their society apart. She realizes that Skyla hasn’t received a single communication they've sent in months and convinces Hinata to abandon his post to go on a rescue mission in search of her.
Hinata- a Navy commander and rule follower who is sentenced to exile for losing the admiral promotion. His world turned upside down once a mysterious woman arrived on his station. He finds himself fighting a losing war against an opponent that doesn’t play by the rules that he SO likes to follow. So….he goes rogue to help find Skyla.
Rating: 4.5/5
May 21, 2025
Wow, I have no words to express how much I enjoyed this second installment to this series.
This messed with my emotions in so many ways. There are thrills and excitement and adventure that occurs, with this underlying tension that felt like it was going to snap at some point and I was just a the edge of my seat the entire book. I just wanted everything to go well for everyone. I wanted nothing bad to happen 😆
The relationships all developed even more. The romances(yes plural 👀) were that annoying(not really because I love it) slow burn with that tension, again, that seemed to affect everyone until it was finally addressed and just made me swoon. The friendships that were built even more with the adventure they were put into to save someone that just brought them all closer and dare I say even maybe some betrayal 👀 And twists.
I love that this is not just about a romance, but has adventure, it has thrills and excitement throughout. We get to travel to different planets and I just love it.
This was just such a well written sequel that had so much happening and I’m ready for answers! Maybe some of the characters got answers to what they were looking for, and I did as well, but the biggest question still needs to be answered. And that cliffhanger, wasn’t a huge one, but the book just stops suddenly and it’s so sudden that you’re left hanging and wondering what was going to happen next.
Wonderful sequel and wonderful series! Seriously, just check it out!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This messed with my emotions in so many ways. There are thrills and excitement and adventure that occurs, with this underlying tension that felt like it was going to snap at some point and I was just a the edge of my seat the entire book. I just wanted everything to go well for everyone. I wanted nothing bad to happen 😆
The relationships all developed even more. The romances(yes plural 👀) were that annoying(not really because I love it) slow burn with that tension, again, that seemed to affect everyone until it was finally addressed and just made me swoon. The friendships that were built even more with the adventure they were put into to save someone that just brought them all closer and dare I say even maybe some betrayal 👀 And twists.
I love that this is not just about a romance, but has adventure, it has thrills and excitement throughout. We get to travel to different planets and I just love it.
This was just such a well written sequel that had so much happening and I’m ready for answers! Maybe some of the characters got answers to what they were looking for, and I did as well, but the biggest question still needs to be answered. And that cliffhanger, wasn’t a huge one, but the book just stops suddenly and it’s so sudden that you’re left hanging and wondering what was going to happen next.
Wonderful sequel and wonderful series! Seriously, just check it out!
Thank you to the author for the e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 13, 2025
A fascinating mystery, woven expertly between an equally fascinating cast of characters. Overall, Parallax feels like a step-up from the already brilliant Umbra.
So… I really liked this book! But then, I really liked Umbra, too, so it’s not such a surprise. Overall, it felt bigger than Umbra, and explored these already familiar characters in more depth than expected.
Skyla’s ark, particularly in that first half of the book, is by-far my favourite, essentially finding herself trapped alone on a planet, testing her in ways even she likely never thought she would be. But unlike Tom Hanks in Cast Away, she doesn’t become best friends with a football named Wilson, but does grow closer to everyone’s favourite murder-cat-fox-wolf, Fenrir, which honesty, we love to see!
There is plenty in this book for the non-romance crowd to get excited by, and even as someone who doesn’t specifically read books for romance plots, I do quite like the relationships in this book, and although there were times where I wanted to bonk Hinata on the head and shout, ‘Just tell the girl how you feel, dammit!’, the couple of spicy(ish?) scenes seemed fairly mild to my non-romance mind, and didn’t make me roll my eyes or anything like they often do, which is good, I think?
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Parallax, and I very much look forward to book three, whenever it may come.
So… I really liked this book! But then, I really liked Umbra, too, so it’s not such a surprise. Overall, it felt bigger than Umbra, and explored these already familiar characters in more depth than expected.
Skyla’s ark, particularly in that first half of the book, is by-far my favourite, essentially finding herself trapped alone on a planet, testing her in ways even she likely never thought she would be. But unlike Tom Hanks in Cast Away, she doesn’t become best friends with a football named Wilson, but does grow closer to everyone’s favourite murder-cat-fox-wolf, Fenrir, which honesty, we love to see!
There is plenty in this book for the non-romance crowd to get excited by, and even as someone who doesn’t specifically read books for romance plots, I do quite like the relationships in this book, and although there were times where I wanted to bonk Hinata on the head and shout, ‘Just tell the girl how you feel, dammit!’, the couple of spicy(ish?) scenes seemed fairly mild to my non-romance mind, and didn’t make me roll my eyes or anything like they often do, which is good, I think?
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with Parallax, and I very much look forward to book three, whenever it may come.
October 4, 2025
Parallax dodges the “second book syndrome” by throwing you right into suspenseful scenes from the first chapter and keeping the pace fast, while not sacrificing on the intimate character movements that make you feel deeply connected and rooting for the characters. There is intense moments of action, jaw dropping twists, mind-blowing revelations, and a strong ending hook that avoids the typical cliff hanger frustrations earning Toro’s second book a 4.5 (rounded to 5 here) from me.
As I find myself becoming more of a “die hard” space opera fan, I appreciate what Toro is doing for the space even more now than I did when I read Umbra because she’s not afraid to mix in some spice and intimacy to make the connections between the characters feel more alive, while still hitting all the amazing tropes and plot points I’ve grown to appreciate and expect from the genre.
She also has managed to creatively weave in one of my favorite fantasy tropes into the genre on-top of that which is the “bonded rider” trope where a rider bonds with their dragon, think Fourth Wing but with sentient AI organic space crafts. Each ship has a unique personality, and feels like another character in the story, sometimes dripping with sarcasm, offering comedic relief, or playing “wingman” in their bonded flier's relationship.
Full in-depth review can be found at Bromantasy.com .
As I find myself becoming more of a “die hard” space opera fan, I appreciate what Toro is doing for the space even more now than I did when I read Umbra because she’s not afraid to mix in some spice and intimacy to make the connections between the characters feel more alive, while still hitting all the amazing tropes and plot points I’ve grown to appreciate and expect from the genre.
She also has managed to creatively weave in one of my favorite fantasy tropes into the genre on-top of that which is the “bonded rider” trope where a rider bonds with their dragon, think Fourth Wing but with sentient AI organic space crafts. Each ship has a unique personality, and feels like another character in the story, sometimes dripping with sarcasm, offering comedic relief, or playing “wingman” in their bonded flier's relationship.
Full in-depth review can be found at Bromantasy.com .
May 22, 2025
If you’re looking for a space opera that feels like romantasy, you NEED to read the Sentient Stars series!
Parallax is a gripping, action-packed sequel to Toro's debut space opera, Umbra. All 3 POVs are back for a deeply emotional, engaging adventure across the stars. Skyla, the rogue Han Solo-esque captain, is desperate to find her father. Hinata, who chose duty over love, regrets his choice to let Skyla go as he wages war on the front lines. And Freyja (my girl) is on a search for answers about the deepfake that cost her everything—the deepfake she believes was staged by her own mother.
The side characters are also out in full force. From Skyla’s ever-lovable bonded starship Pele to my new book boyfriend Kylian, the rest of the cast could easily commandeer their own books in the future.
Like Umbra, Parallax features immersive worldbuilding and creative settings—an abandoned underwater city in a space opera? I did not see that coming, but I am HERE FOR IT.
Aside from the high-stakes galactic adventure, Parallax offers some thoughtful contemplation of the benefits and dangers of technology—I particularly enjoyed the continuation of the deepfake plot. And the cliffhanger at the end? Amber, you can’t leave me on the edge of my seat like this! (I mean, I guess you can. I’ll just be patiently waiting for Book 3…)
If you haven’t read Parallax yet, go buy it ASAP!
Parallax is a gripping, action-packed sequel to Toro's debut space opera, Umbra. All 3 POVs are back for a deeply emotional, engaging adventure across the stars. Skyla, the rogue Han Solo-esque captain, is desperate to find her father. Hinata, who chose duty over love, regrets his choice to let Skyla go as he wages war on the front lines. And Freyja (my girl) is on a search for answers about the deepfake that cost her everything—the deepfake she believes was staged by her own mother.
The side characters are also out in full force. From Skyla’s ever-lovable bonded starship Pele to my new book boyfriend Kylian, the rest of the cast could easily commandeer their own books in the future.
Like Umbra, Parallax features immersive worldbuilding and creative settings—an abandoned underwater city in a space opera? I did not see that coming, but I am HERE FOR IT.
Aside from the high-stakes galactic adventure, Parallax offers some thoughtful contemplation of the benefits and dangers of technology—I particularly enjoyed the continuation of the deepfake plot. And the cliffhanger at the end? Amber, you can’t leave me on the edge of my seat like this! (I mean, I guess you can. I’ll just be patiently waiting for Book 3…)
If you haven’t read Parallax yet, go buy it ASAP!
April 7, 2025
ARC REVIEW:
Thank you to the author for this ARC and opportunity to read this early copy!
Parallax brings just as much battles, betrayal, and even more banter giving me Firefly vibes and I couldn’t have been more giddy about it. I see the tidbits from some of my favorite sci-fi stories and it’s makes for a fantastic sequel and continuation to this soap opera.
Though we witness more galactic battles, this book focuses on a lot of growth for our main characters. Their inner battles of fighting against their morals but also realizing that sometimes you have to make those morally grey choices even if you are on the right side of things. They make mistakes, even the wrong choices but sometimes that’s war. And not everything has to be such a lonely journey if you trust the right people.
And don’t get me started on the worst but best slow burns. The intimacy of some of the growing relationships in my opinion was some of the most natural I’ve read. It’s not always wrapped up like a bow just because they like each other. There is struggle but with that comes communication and vulnerability.
Be prepared too…here I thought the cliffhanger in the first book would leave my jaw on the floor. Then she raises her hand with this one.
I’m ready for the next book already Amber.
Thank you to the author for this ARC and opportunity to read this early copy!
Parallax brings just as much battles, betrayal, and even more banter giving me Firefly vibes and I couldn’t have been more giddy about it. I see the tidbits from some of my favorite sci-fi stories and it’s makes for a fantastic sequel and continuation to this soap opera.
Though we witness more galactic battles, this book focuses on a lot of growth for our main characters. Their inner battles of fighting against their morals but also realizing that sometimes you have to make those morally grey choices even if you are on the right side of things. They make mistakes, even the wrong choices but sometimes that’s war. And not everything has to be such a lonely journey if you trust the right people.
And don’t get me started on the worst but best slow burns. The intimacy of some of the growing relationships in my opinion was some of the most natural I’ve read. It’s not always wrapped up like a bow just because they like each other. There is struggle but with that comes communication and vulnerability.
Be prepared too…here I thought the cliffhanger in the first book would leave my jaw on the floor. Then she raises her hand with this one.
I’m ready for the next book already Amber.
May 16, 2025
Parallax is the multi-POV sequel to Umbra, a romantasy inspired, slow burn space opera. Please note that this review may contain spoilers for Umbra.
Parallax picks up where Umbra ended, with Skyla crash landing in the ocean on a frozen planet. She is forced to leave Pele, her bonded AI ship, to get to land and any potential of survival and eventual rescue for Pele.
Freyja has been hunting down the deep space signal that caused her to lose her position as Admiral and caused a war.
Hinata is fighting to keep his people together and as safe as he can in the midst of said war.
This was such an amazing sequel. It was packed full of nail-biting adventure and harrowing survival situations. Each character is dealing with bad situations, yet they must once again come together and trust each other to ensure that they are doing everything they can to save their universe.
I loved this book. After the cliffhanger I was left on at the end of Umbra, I was desperate to know what was going to happen. The stakes are even higher in Parallax, and it was a wild ride. The story has yet to answer the biggest mystery, but I feel we are on the cusp of that reveal. I can't wait for the next book!
Thank you to @amberraetoro for the gifted eARC, especially since it was my very first physical ARC!
Parallax picks up where Umbra ended, with Skyla crash landing in the ocean on a frozen planet. She is forced to leave Pele, her bonded AI ship, to get to land and any potential of survival and eventual rescue for Pele.
Freyja has been hunting down the deep space signal that caused her to lose her position as Admiral and caused a war.
Hinata is fighting to keep his people together and as safe as he can in the midst of said war.
This was such an amazing sequel. It was packed full of nail-biting adventure and harrowing survival situations. Each character is dealing with bad situations, yet they must once again come together and trust each other to ensure that they are doing everything they can to save their universe.
I loved this book. After the cliffhanger I was left on at the end of Umbra, I was desperate to know what was going to happen. The stakes are even higher in Parallax, and it was a wild ride. The story has yet to answer the biggest mystery, but I feel we are on the cusp of that reveal. I can't wait for the next book!
Thank you to @amberraetoro for the gifted eARC, especially since it was my very first physical ARC!
May 21, 2025
✨𝙰𝚁𝙲 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆✨
The tenuous alliances of the United Tribal Axis have fractured, breaking humanity into warring factions. Hinata finds himself fighting a losing war against an opponent that doesn’t play by the rules. While Freyja focuses all of her efforts on uncovering the origin of the signal that she is convinced is the key to revealing the source of the chaos ripping their society apart. Upon returning from an outer rim mission, Freyja realizes that Skyla hasn’t received a single communication they’ve sent in months and must convince Hinata to abandon his post to mount a rescue mission in search of the missing captain. But there are forces at play larger than any of them realize.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Parallax is the second installment in the Sentient Stars series by Amber Toro. As I have noted earlier, Amber’s narrative style is enchanting. In my previous review of Umbra, I expressed that the experience felt akin to watching a film, and this sensation persists while reading Parallax. Amber’s meticulous writing not only excels in character development but also in vividly crafting and expanding this imaginative world. It was gratifying to witness the progression of the story, and I am eager to discover what unfolds next.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
The tenuous alliances of the United Tribal Axis have fractured, breaking humanity into warring factions. Hinata finds himself fighting a losing war against an opponent that doesn’t play by the rules. While Freyja focuses all of her efforts on uncovering the origin of the signal that she is convinced is the key to revealing the source of the chaos ripping their society apart. Upon returning from an outer rim mission, Freyja realizes that Skyla hasn’t received a single communication they’ve sent in months and must convince Hinata to abandon his post to mount a rescue mission in search of the missing captain. But there are forces at play larger than any of them realize.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
Parallax is the second installment in the Sentient Stars series by Amber Toro. As I have noted earlier, Amber’s narrative style is enchanting. In my previous review of Umbra, I expressed that the experience felt akin to watching a film, and this sensation persists while reading Parallax. Amber’s meticulous writing not only excels in character development but also in vividly crafting and expanding this imaginative world. It was gratifying to witness the progression of the story, and I am eager to discover what unfolds next.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
May 23, 2025
The second book in Toro's SENTIENT STARS series picks up where we left off at the end of UMBRA, where our three main characters are all on separate—but concurrent—missions. Skyla, Hinata, and Freyja's individual storylines are weaved together seamlessly by Toro, and at the end of the book, we are left with all three needing to work together to overcome a powerful and strengthening evil.
Toro's romance arcs are also intertwined with the plot in a way that they serve each other in progressing the story forward. We see a love blossoming for Freyja, and the relationship between Skyla and Hinata is tested in ways that make your heart ache for them. All of the characters in this series—even the side characters—really came to life for me in this book, even more so than they did in book one.
I also adored the platonic, but deep, relationship between Skyla and her ship, Pele. There's a moment in this book where some tough things happen with Pele, and I actually felt myself holding my breath. Pele is a character on her own, and I adored her in this book.
If you like action-packed space operas, romance, and found families of characters you can root for, read this series immediately.
Toro's romance arcs are also intertwined with the plot in a way that they serve each other in progressing the story forward. We see a love blossoming for Freyja, and the relationship between Skyla and Hinata is tested in ways that make your heart ache for them. All of the characters in this series—even the side characters—really came to life for me in this book, even more so than they did in book one.
I also adored the platonic, but deep, relationship between Skyla and her ship, Pele. There's a moment in this book where some tough things happen with Pele, and I actually felt myself holding my breath. Pele is a character on her own, and I adored her in this book.
If you like action-packed space operas, romance, and found families of characters you can root for, read this series immediately.
June 13, 2025
This series is definitely shaping up to be one of my favorites, especially as far as sci-fi goes, and I really loved how we got to see the characters develop their relationships more in this one!
Why not 5 stars then? Well.. it did have some parts in it that honestly just confused me. I couldn’t figure out how the timelines between Skyla and everyone else were working until I read quite a few chapters. I didn’t understand that Hinata and Freja’s first chapters were technically ahead of what Skyla was doing in her first chapters? Just some headers with the timeline would’ve made a huge difference honestly. Once I figured out what was going on it made a lot more sense, but I was still confused for a while beforehand.
Also, I feel like the ending just felt a little awkward. Don’t get me wrong, I still will absolutely be reading the next one but it kinda felt like a cliffhanger that just didn’t make me feel enough emotions. It read more like the end of a chapter as opposed to the end of the book.
And I just have to make a special shoutout to the author who has FANTASTIC character development and stunning world building in this series, keep it up👏🏼
Anyways, it was great again overall and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Why not 5 stars then? Well.. it did have some parts in it that honestly just confused me. I couldn’t figure out how the timelines between Skyla and everyone else were working until I read quite a few chapters. I didn’t understand that Hinata and Freja’s first chapters were technically ahead of what Skyla was doing in her first chapters? Just some headers with the timeline would’ve made a huge difference honestly. Once I figured out what was going on it made a lot more sense, but I was still confused for a while beforehand.
Also, I feel like the ending just felt a little awkward. Don’t get me wrong, I still will absolutely be reading the next one but it kinda felt like a cliffhanger that just didn’t make me feel enough emotions. It read more like the end of a chapter as opposed to the end of the book.
And I just have to make a special shoutout to the author who has FANTASTIC character development and stunning world building in this series, keep it up👏🏼
Anyways, it was great again overall and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2025
What a great second book in the series. Parallax continues straight on from Umbra.
Skylar is trapped on thule after trying to find her father. But all she can think of is him. Hinata continues his duty to his tribe, thinking she has left never to return. Freyas hunt for the source of the signal continues but with not hearing from Skylar she recruits Hinata is her search for her.
With Hinata hurting from Skylar leaving him and Skylar unsure where she stands with him, there is so much angst and shouting at them to get over themselves it's unbelievable. But this not just about these two, we also get a bit more of Kylian breaking down some of Freyas defenses to let him in, as well as Tristan getting in some relationship trouble.
After the struggle to get into the first book I was apprehensive about starting this, but I enjoyed. There was the right balance between the developing relationships and the plot of grinding Skylar and the source of the signal. This was a good read, even though we are left on a cliffhanger, so really needing the next installment.
Skylar is trapped on thule after trying to find her father. But all she can think of is him. Hinata continues his duty to his tribe, thinking she has left never to return. Freyas hunt for the source of the signal continues but with not hearing from Skylar she recruits Hinata is her search for her.
With Hinata hurting from Skylar leaving him and Skylar unsure where she stands with him, there is so much angst and shouting at them to get over themselves it's unbelievable. But this not just about these two, we also get a bit more of Kylian breaking down some of Freyas defenses to let him in, as well as Tristan getting in some relationship trouble.
After the struggle to get into the first book I was apprehensive about starting this, but I enjoyed. There was the right balance between the developing relationships and the plot of grinding Skylar and the source of the signal. This was a good read, even though we are left on a cliffhanger, so really needing the next installment.
May 27, 2025
《 ARC REVIEW 》
"I am the blaze in the flame. I am the calm in the storm. I am the force behind the machine. The choice is mine. Fear has no power over me."
I just finished reading Parallax by Amber Toro, and this is the second book in the Sentient Stars series!
I absolutely loved the first book, Umbra, and this one was no different! It follows along with Skyla, Hinata, and Freyja with three different POV chapters. There is so much action going on throughout the whole book, and I just couldn't put it down! It's heartbreaking and emotional and such a cool story! I can't get enough!!
Skyla and Hinata are my favorites, and their slow burn romance is perfect! 🔥 And our favorite AI ship, Pele, gets a little romance of her own, and I was screaming because of how sweet it is!! 🫠
Parallax just got released on May 20th, and is available to read now!
A huge thank you to Amber Toro for the opportunity to read this ARC!
"I am the blaze in the flame. I am the calm in the storm. I am the force behind the machine. The choice is mine. Fear has no power over me."
I just finished reading Parallax by Amber Toro, and this is the second book in the Sentient Stars series!
I absolutely loved the first book, Umbra, and this one was no different! It follows along with Skyla, Hinata, and Freyja with three different POV chapters. There is so much action going on throughout the whole book, and I just couldn't put it down! It's heartbreaking and emotional and such a cool story! I can't get enough!!
Skyla and Hinata are my favorites, and their slow burn romance is perfect! 🔥 And our favorite AI ship, Pele, gets a little romance of her own, and I was screaming because of how sweet it is!! 🫠
Parallax just got released on May 20th, and is available to read now!
A huge thank you to Amber Toro for the opportunity to read this ARC!
April 15, 2025
Umbra: Sentient Stars was one of my absolute favorite reads last year. So when I was able to get an ARC for the sequel, Parallax, I was super hyped up for it. Thank you for this opportunity Amber and with that said...
Amber came right for the feels with the first chapter and I knew I needed to prepare myself. This was such a satisfying sequel to Umbra. As a fan of multiple POV stories, following the adventures that Skyla, Freyja, and Hinata embark on was a blast and full of suspense. There's more witty banter, betrayal, tears, and cheers!
From the small and tense cliffhangers each chapter brings to the epic space battles and the super slow-burn romance, Parallax blasts through the universe at warp speed and never slows up. And I need answers! As much as Umbra left me wanting more, Parallax said "Hold my beer."
Looking forward to what's in store for our space adventures!
Amber came right for the feels with the first chapter and I knew I needed to prepare myself. This was such a satisfying sequel to Umbra. As a fan of multiple POV stories, following the adventures that Skyla, Freyja, and Hinata embark on was a blast and full of suspense. There's more witty banter, betrayal, tears, and cheers!
From the small and tense cliffhangers each chapter brings to the epic space battles and the super slow-burn romance, Parallax blasts through the universe at warp speed and never slows up. And I need answers! As much as Umbra left me wanting more, Parallax said "Hold my beer."
Looking forward to what's in store for our space adventures!
June 25, 2025
I dove right into Parallax immediately after finishing Umbra because I have absolutely zero chill.
One of my favorite themes in this second installment of the Sentient Stars series was the conflict between duty/honor vs. heart. These characters are all so strongly motivated by their missions, and each of them were challenged by the desire to fight for something more. I loved the way each character grew, and how they opened up to each other as their bonds changed throughout the story. This is exactly the kind of found family I love, and I only grew more attached to the cast throughout Parallax.
The stakes were higher in this book, and the tension is palpable throughout the story. There are so many layers to the story, but it is still approachable in its execution.
Also, I never thought I'd be CRYING OVER SENTIENT STARSHIPS but here we are.
I cannot wait for the next one.
One of my favorite themes in this second installment of the Sentient Stars series was the conflict between duty/honor vs. heart. These characters are all so strongly motivated by their missions, and each of them were challenged by the desire to fight for something more. I loved the way each character grew, and how they opened up to each other as their bonds changed throughout the story. This is exactly the kind of found family I love, and I only grew more attached to the cast throughout Parallax.
The stakes were higher in this book, and the tension is palpable throughout the story. There are so many layers to the story, but it is still approachable in its execution.
Also, I never thought I'd be CRYING OVER SENTIENT STARSHIPS but here we are.
I cannot wait for the next one.
May 25, 2025
I love when a sequel is just as good or better than the first book of the series!
Amber Toro really delivers in this continuation of the series. We jump right into the action but it's just 6 months after Umbra and that makes it easy to get into the story again.
The characters are back and we have 3 POV's to experience. The author really shines with her character work...this is great writing! She makes us love them....and root for them!
We have more romance but it's not heavy handed or over the top. It's perfect to both move the story along and capture our attention. That slow burn is divine!!!
Amber Toro is swiftly becoming an author to watch...and an auto buy for me!
My rating is 4.5 rounded for GR
Thank you to the author for the ARC to read and review. My thoughts are my own!
Amber Toro really delivers in this continuation of the series. We jump right into the action but it's just 6 months after Umbra and that makes it easy to get into the story again.
The characters are back and we have 3 POV's to experience. The author really shines with her character work...this is great writing! She makes us love them....and root for them!
We have more romance but it's not heavy handed or over the top. It's perfect to both move the story along and capture our attention. That slow burn is divine!!!
Amber Toro is swiftly becoming an author to watch...and an auto buy for me!
My rating is 4.5 rounded for GR
Thank you to the author for the ARC to read and review. My thoughts are my own!
April 9, 2025
This book was an excellent sequel to Umbra. At one point, I literally jumped up and down I was so excited. I'm a sucker for multiple POVs, especially when my favorite characters are spread throughout the universe. Getting to follow Skyla, Hinata, and Freyja throughout their different adventures kept me interested and glued to the story.
Parallax is full of heart stopping moments, thrilling fight scenes, eerie experiences, and to top it all off, delicious spicy and tension filled dialogue. Will the three be able to save their universe, or even each other? You'll have to read to find out!
Parallax is full of heart stopping moments, thrilling fight scenes, eerie experiences, and to top it all off, delicious spicy and tension filled dialogue. Will the three be able to save their universe, or even each other? You'll have to read to find out!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews