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NightPiercer #1
NightPiercer
Werewolves... in space.
In 2096 BCE, Earth became uninhabitable. In 2168, the last survivors of Earth cling to survival on three hastily-built ark ships: NightPiercer, LightBearer, and Ark .
Young werewolf Lachesis of Ark is chosen out of the Creche Pool to produce a child. She expects the usual no-fuss, no-muss artificial breeding using frozen semen from a werewolf she'll never meet.
Instead, she's transferred to NightPiercer for things to be done the old-fashioned way. Her new husband makes it clear he doesn't believe in permission or forgiveness, barely humors the chain of command, and has zero intentions of siring another generation destined to drift in the cold dark.
In the close quarters they share, Rainer's true nature, and his ultimate plan for both Lachesis and NightPiercer, are impossible to hide. If the rest of NightPiercer finds out, they'll both be killed.
That is, if they don't kill each other first.
Fated mates romance meets space opera in a dark, near-future where human and werewolf live at the very edge of survival. Contains sexy times, solar radiation pressure calculations, and algae vats.
In 2096 BCE, Earth became uninhabitable. In 2168, the last survivors of Earth cling to survival on three hastily-built ark ships: NightPiercer, LightBearer, and Ark .
Young werewolf Lachesis of Ark is chosen out of the Creche Pool to produce a child. She expects the usual no-fuss, no-muss artificial breeding using frozen semen from a werewolf she'll never meet.
Instead, she's transferred to NightPiercer for things to be done the old-fashioned way. Her new husband makes it clear he doesn't believe in permission or forgiveness, barely humors the chain of command, and has zero intentions of siring another generation destined to drift in the cold dark.
In the close quarters they share, Rainer's true nature, and his ultimate plan for both Lachesis and NightPiercer, are impossible to hide. If the rest of NightPiercer finds out, they'll both be killed.
That is, if they don't kill each other first.
Fated mates romance meets space opera in a dark, near-future where human and werewolf live at the very edge of survival. Contains sexy times, solar radiation pressure calculations, and algae vats.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 21, 2019
61 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Merry Ravenell
23 books346 followersMerry is a dark sci-fi and fantasy author that currently lives in rural Alabama. She enjoys tormenting her main characters and doing excessive research to make sure unrealistic things are as realistic as possible.
When she's not writing, she enjoys coffee, vodka, painfully bad movies of all varieties, documentaries, coloring books, and knitting.
When she's not writing, she enjoys coffee, vodka, painfully bad movies of all varieties, documentaries, coloring books, and knitting.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 21, 2020
The concept of this seemed interesting and I’m not actually familiar with the author’s other work. However at 53% in I quit because it’s excessively boring and I just can’t bring myself to care what happens. Lachesis is taken from her home by force, almost dies because her new husband decided to come get her, he doesn’t let her say goodbye to her family that she will likely never see again, he’s not ever nice to her, basically keeps her prisoner, she gets arrested and beaten up for no reason and they expect her to sit and do nothing the rest of her life for absolutely no reason. Also I find the whole part that they paid for her offensive. Maybe it gets better and maybe it’s not just some depressing story about how a seemingly bright young woman is basically abused and tormented and is trapped with no way out and no hope. I’ll never find out because I gave up it’s just tedious really. And Rainer seems to have no redeeming qualities and I can’t see how any romance comes into their situation.
April 15, 2022
Werewolves in space. Huh. I was a little surprised I enjoyed this mashup of sci-fi/space opera/shifter fantasy as much as I did. Earth has been wrecked by a polar shift (for now, at least), and the story takes place on ark ships in space, with both human and werewolf survivors battling for survival and supremacy. An odd kind of premise, but the writer made it credible enough for me, and I was happy to go along for the ride. I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story, and the political squabbles amongst crew members kept it interesting. I've enjoyed wolf shifter books before, and this one was just a different take, I guess.
I did get a little tired of the difficulty Lake and Rainer had in communicating with each other. OK as a plot device, but after a while it started to get a bit old, and as a reader I wanted a few more crumbs of their togetherness. But apart from this, the story carried me along, and I will happily read the next instalment.
I did get a little tired of the difficulty Lake and Rainer had in communicating with each other. OK as a plot device, but after a while it started to get a bit old, and as a reader I wanted a few more crumbs of their togetherness. But apart from this, the story carried me along, and I will happily read the next instalment.
November 21, 2020
Second time reading for me
I almost never read the same book twice. But in order to read the second book of the series so long after having completed the first, I opened this book again to do a quick detail scan. I got totally sucked back in on the very first page and ended up re-reading the entire thing. It's so well done. This isn't nuts and bolts deep tech sci fi. But it's a credible possible future for human and werewolf kind. The last of both species are living a perilous existence off of the planet Jupiter in ships not built for interstellar travel. They're hovering in rust buckets. Every crew member must be essential and psychologically cooperative. Our MC Lachesis is not. Nor is the well done love interest, Rainer. There is high emotion in this story, supported by cohesive logic from both mc's. It's a pleasure and often amusing to read these academically brilliant but emotionally illiterate characters.
I almost never read the same book twice. But in order to read the second book of the series so long after having completed the first, I opened this book again to do a quick detail scan. I got totally sucked back in on the very first page and ended up re-reading the entire thing. It's so well done. This isn't nuts and bolts deep tech sci fi. But it's a credible possible future for human and werewolf kind. The last of both species are living a perilous existence off of the planet Jupiter in ships not built for interstellar travel. They're hovering in rust buckets. Every crew member must be essential and psychologically cooperative. Our MC Lachesis is not. Nor is the well done love interest, Rainer. There is high emotion in this story, supported by cohesive logic from both mc's. It's a pleasure and often amusing to read these academically brilliant but emotionally illiterate characters.
February 13, 2021
Set in space, escapees from Earth don't know if it still exists. The exist within a power struggle between human and werewolves on 3 spacecraft, and a lot of angst. The h is given to the H to breed, she viewed as disposable. The H was difficult to like, he almost kills her and keeps her ignorant of what's happening to her. The pace is fast but for me, the technical terms were boring. It's a tragic story with the h suffering, and the H should have stopped it. But worse, their story is not finished. Not sure if I can handle any more sadness.
June 6, 2020
This is hands down my favourite book this year.
I just love the two contrasting characters, the hero who is so confident, slightly cocky, and speaks his mind against our heroine who is constantly trying to prove herself. I love how these two work together. And whilst this book is very character driven and includes many the protagonist.. Did anyone notice WEREWOLVES in SPACE? But done so expertly, with all the usual protective/Alpha traits but reimagined in such a challenging setting.
This book is a great romance. The characters are so real and the hero unbelievably protective and competent and possessive but it also speaks to me as a great SciFi, with rich and deep insight into a different world.. I just loved learning every aspect of this new universe.
Complex flawed and
I just love the two contrasting characters, the hero who is so confident, slightly cocky, and speaks his mind against our heroine who is constantly trying to prove herself. I love how these two work together. And whilst this book is very character driven and includes many the protagonist.. Did anyone notice WEREWOLVES in SPACE? But done so expertly, with all the usual protective/Alpha traits but reimagined in such a challenging setting.
This book is a great romance. The characters are so real and the hero unbelievably protective and competent and possessive but it also speaks to me as a great SciFi, with rich and deep insight into a different world.. I just loved learning every aspect of this new universe.
Complex flawed and
June 24, 2020
Wow, I can’t believe how much I hated this book. I love a good science fiction romance, but this wasn’t it. I absolutely loathed the “heroine” Lachesis, who might be one of the most immature, dumb, emotionally volatile, and awful book heroines I have read about in some time. Only reason I kept reading this book was for a challenge, but it didn’t get better as it went along, the plot was literally all over the place. Lachesis honestly was so stupid and stubborn she kept proclaiming her husband had tried/was trying to kill her until about the 70% mark - yup, nothing says romance like potential murder of your supposed mate. Should have DNF’d.
December 28, 2019
Homework well done
Intense story from the first word. Information everywhere, and the Author has some pretty deep knowledge on things space. Very slow burn which just made everything ‘more’ and the cuss words out my mouth when I got to the end and found out I have to wait until March for the follow up were very colourful. Loved the intrigue and the plot turns, well crafted.
Intense story from the first word. Information everywhere, and the Author has some pretty deep knowledge on things space. Very slow burn which just made everything ‘more’ and the cuss words out my mouth when I got to the end and found out I have to wait until March for the follow up were very colourful. Loved the intrigue and the plot turns, well crafted.
April 4, 2021
A favorite space werewolf opera
I unexpectedly found this charm and will never be the same for it will always be one of my favorites. Fated mates and science fiction plot...perfectly executed. I can’t wait to continue reading the series.
I unexpectedly found this charm and will never be the same for it will always be one of my favorites. Fated mates and science fiction plot...perfectly executed. I can’t wait to continue reading the series.
December 21, 2019
At long last
I’ve waited a long time for this book, so the moment it arrived on my device from preorder, I dropped all my plans for the day to read it. The story line kept me hooked all day, only stopping for meals and the obligatory family interruptions until I reached the last page and cursed having to wait for book 2.
Sex: Eventually. Don’t hold your breath or you’ll die waiting for it. I know I did.
Plot: werewolves trapped on a futuristic style arc with humans in space with no potential of coming back to earth. Or is there? the first time I heard this concept I was like really? Then I started reading, and I couldn’t stop. The plot and intrigue are fantastic, but it does have some slow points which are all about the world building.
World: it’s true Sci-fi, and I’m very select on my sci-fi, because the scientist in me always picks up when someone is trying to sell me rubbish as scientific fact. Merry not only shows the amount of research she’s put into getting this world right, it’s backed by scientific facts a lot of the time. Things we are seeing in our world now. There was only one statement that made me shake my head and say no, but that’s when I need to remind myself it’s fantasy. In short, it’s a great world with lots education embedded in the pages.
Recommend? He’ll, Yes! Nightpiercer has some great intrigue happening in it with a strong female with the will to rise to any challenge thrown her way, loved it and I will be reading book 2.
I’ve waited a long time for this book, so the moment it arrived on my device from preorder, I dropped all my plans for the day to read it. The story line kept me hooked all day, only stopping for meals and the obligatory family interruptions until I reached the last page and cursed having to wait for book 2.
Sex: Eventually. Don’t hold your breath or you’ll die waiting for it. I know I did.
Plot: werewolves trapped on a futuristic style arc with humans in space with no potential of coming back to earth. Or is there? the first time I heard this concept I was like really? Then I started reading, and I couldn’t stop. The plot and intrigue are fantastic, but it does have some slow points which are all about the world building.
World: it’s true Sci-fi, and I’m very select on my sci-fi, because the scientist in me always picks up when someone is trying to sell me rubbish as scientific fact. Merry not only shows the amount of research she’s put into getting this world right, it’s backed by scientific facts a lot of the time. Things we are seeing in our world now. There was only one statement that made me shake my head and say no, but that’s when I need to remind myself it’s fantasy. In short, it’s a great world with lots education embedded in the pages.
Recommend? He’ll, Yes! Nightpiercer has some great intrigue happening in it with a strong female with the will to rise to any challenge thrown her way, loved it and I will be reading book 2.
February 9, 2023
2-3ish⭐️? I honestly don’t know how to rate this. I liked it, but…..
but, the romance was kind of a wreck. Both of our mc’s are incredibly smart, but both have ranked extremely low on emotional intelligence (yes, this is actually scored in this world). Because of this, it seems like they cannot just have an open conversation.
but, some things just didn’t make sense. Werewolves in space sounds awesome. Our mmc’s grandfather built the space shit they are all. And even though the werewolves designed and financed this ship, even though they are smarter and stronger than the humans, they are treated as second class because some ruling council decided that they needed less emotions during this time in space?
but, they expect us to believe that in the 70 or 80 years that these spacecrafts have been in orbit, that people have just come to expect crazy talk as a way of life? For instance, that children are all basically test tube babies. I get the need to monitor the number of children because you’re living on limited resources, but for a council to decide exactly who gets to have a child, and which sperm and egg will go towards making that child? Then, after a woman has the child, she knows that she’ll likely be approved for (and given) a husband a few years later? And in the case of our mc’s, the council expects to watch them consummate their marriage? Once again, this council is just trying to remove all emotion from life.
Anyway, there were some other things, but ehhh
but, the romance was kind of a wreck. Both of our mc’s are incredibly smart, but both have ranked extremely low on emotional intelligence (yes, this is actually scored in this world). Because of this, it seems like they cannot just have an open conversation.
but, some things just didn’t make sense. Werewolves in space sounds awesome. Our mmc’s grandfather built the space shit they are all. And even though the werewolves designed and financed this ship, even though they are smarter and stronger than the humans, they are treated as second class because some ruling council decided that they needed less emotions during this time in space?
but, they expect us to believe that in the 70 or 80 years that these spacecrafts have been in orbit, that people have just come to expect crazy talk as a way of life? For instance, that children are all basically test tube babies. I get the need to monitor the number of children because you’re living on limited resources, but for a council to decide exactly who gets to have a child, and which sperm and egg will go towards making that child? Then, after a woman has the child, she knows that she’ll likely be approved for (and given) a husband a few years later? And in the case of our mc’s, the council expects to watch them consummate their marriage? Once again, this council is just trying to remove all emotion from life.
Anyway, there were some other things, but ehhh
June 15, 2020
The plot looked interesting but the development of the story wasn't interesting at all. At least for me. The female character, Lake, was beyound annoying. And Rainier doesn't have chemistry with her. Looks like he's doing a great effort to keep her and definitely she's not doing anything to help him. Always suspicious of everything and almost rude all the time.
And honestly I didn't get the plot going on in the story. There's not a good world building or any deep insight about the characters. I skipped some paragraphs to see if the story went somewhere intersting.
I'm sorry but this book didn't work for me.
And honestly I didn't get the plot going on in the story. There's not a good world building or any deep insight about the characters. I skipped some paragraphs to see if the story went somewhere intersting.
I'm sorry but this book didn't work for me.
June 19, 2021
I wanted to like this series and I even read the second book but it’s just not for me. Great story idea and the characters could’ve been great but the story is depressing and slow. The characters aren’t developed enough for you to be invested in them and the H/h have a weird relationship that I wouldn’t even classify as enemies to lovers. Despite being smart Lake has no control over her life and not a consistent will to live. The book is also slightly repetitive. I’d like to know how their story ends but since the series isn’t completed I’ll never know.
July 23, 2021
I liked it but.... not so much?
I am not sure how to describe my feelings about this book. I guess I liked the idea and the plot but the romance was so hard to read. The two main character were fine when they were separated but together they were disaster. They did not talk at all, they just keep blaming each other and it was very painful to read about.
I won't read the second book in the series.
I am not sure how to describe my feelings about this book. I guess I liked the idea and the plot but the romance was so hard to read. The two main character were fine when they were separated but together they were disaster. They did not talk at all, they just keep blaming each other and it was very painful to read about.
I won't read the second book in the series.
June 12, 2024
Literally one of my favorite series of all time. Please keep in mind this is apocalyptic and non human characters. They have a different social set up, and you are immersing yourself in fantasy. This book and series is worth every minute of investment. I love the characters at the same time I want to shake them. There is a happy ending despite all the anguish and horror, and it will get you in your feels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2020
Lots of drama but...
I love every novel by Merry. Some days I need to step back and not read a chapter because of the constant turmoil, but he characters personality’s are so ingrained in the writing and I feel everything they do. It’s like a drug I keep coming back to. This novel is no exception and I love Rainer and lachinese. I want more!
I love every novel by Merry. Some days I need to step back and not read a chapter because of the constant turmoil, but he characters personality’s are so ingrained in the writing and I feel everything they do. It’s like a drug I keep coming back to. This novel is no exception and I love Rainer and lachinese. I want more!
February 11, 2023
Interesting premise but it was just so boring to read. There are hardly any descriptors used during the characters interactions. They rarely chuckle, look under their lashes, cock their heads, etc etc. It just all feels very robotic. I’ve never read a book with so few physical responses. And you can totally forget about any physicality between them.
Overall: 2.5
Overall: 2.5
December 4, 2023
Totally AWESOME 😁
This story turned out a Lot better than I thought it would be and by the end I was really happy I read it 😃. Not the kind of story I usually read, but it's been non-stop action, intense situations, overly emotional but a whole array of fantastic characters 😉. Thanks Merry, I'm truly looking forward to seeing what happens next 🤓.
This story turned out a Lot better than I thought it would be and by the end I was really happy I read it 😃. Not the kind of story I usually read, but it's been non-stop action, intense situations, overly emotional but a whole array of fantastic characters 😉. Thanks Merry, I'm truly looking forward to seeing what happens next 🤓.
December 15, 2023
I will support this author in all she does until I turn to dust. The end.
(Werewolves in space? C'mon. It's so silly that it's perfect and Ravenell nails it: this isn't a cutesy novel that handwaves away things like interstellar engineering or long term physiological effects of fake gravity. She goes there. Also werewolf religion.)
(Werewolves in space? C'mon. It's so silly that it's perfect and Ravenell nails it: this isn't a cutesy novel that handwaves away things like interstellar engineering or long term physiological effects of fake gravity. She goes there. Also werewolf religion.)
July 26, 2020
I mean, if you like werewolves and you like space...... you'll probably like this. It's more of a near-future Star Trek scenario than Star Wars, if that helps. I found it more engaging than the light-hearted read I was thinking this set-up promised.
December 25, 2019
Great read
The story of werewolves in space is a very different one. The human interactions, jealousy and back stabbing that happens in jostling for higher positions make this addictive
The story of werewolves in space is a very different one. The human interactions, jealousy and back stabbing that happens in jostling for higher positions make this addictive
Want to read
June 11, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/11/2020)! 🎁
October 25, 2023
4.5 stars. One of the best books I've read in a while
May 17, 2024
3.5⭐️
April 30, 2020
Holy. Shit.
I mean it. This book well and truly blew me away.
Full disclosure: I did not have high expectations for this book. I read the summary of the book, saw that there weren't all that many reviews on Amazon or Goodreads (though, what did exist seemed positive, to be fair), and I made an unfair assumption. I judged the book by its cover. But, hey, it was on Kindle Unlimited, and werewolves + space opera sounded reminiscent of Jupiter Ascending (which, while completely and utterly ridiculous, I completely and utterly adored), so I figured: what the hell. My reactions were as follows:
5% -- Okay, world-building, I see you. Not bad. Guess I like space operas after all.
20% -- Wait... do I... like this? Is this actually... good?
30% -- Oh my god. I think I actually love this?
45% -- Wait is this only half-way through? There's a whole other half of this awesomeness? #Score
75% -- I fucking love this book. This thing might actually knock a few all-time favorites down a peg.
80% -- Wait nonononono, there's only 20% left?
94% -- ...This is a series, right? There will be millions more of this? It's not going to ever end?
98% -- Authors still exist that actually use all of the space in the book and don't waste the last 10% on ads for future books? I love this book and this author.
But in all seriousness, I adored this and was completely blown away by how quickly and fiercely I latched onto this.
The world-building, for starters, was excellent. I find the idea of space operas interesting, but they're not usually my thing. I wasn't expecting to become even slightly invested in the setting of the book, but boy did I become invested! Ravenell has a way of sharing information without making it feel like a burdensome info-dump. It started gradual, and it always fit the narration of the scene. It also made sense and was generally interesting. And that's coming from someone who doesn't really read too many space operas. So even if that's not normally your thing, you should give this a shot anyway. It's worth it.
Plot-wise, I was also extremely impressed. There are intricate little twists and turns in various places that keep you on your toes and keep you second-guessing, but there's also a comfortable pattern to things. Everything flows, and nothing feels even remotely forced, but it also isn't perfectly predictable. It feels /real/. Like each of these characters could really exist, and if you actually put this cast of humans and werewolves together on a couple of ships in space, things would progress exactly like they do in this book. It's real.
And that, obviously, includes the characters. They're multidimensional and flawed, but, again, not in any way that feels forced. They're the orchestrators of some of their own pain, but at the same time, you know exactly why they make the mistakes they make, why they react to things the way they do. It's beautiful and raw and I love each and every one of them so, so much. I want to cradle our main characters to my chest, but I also want to let them stumble around, fall, scrape their knees, and get back up. ...I haven't been this attached to a male and female lead in a long while.
We don't end on what I'd call a cliff-hanger, but I recognize there are some that might disagree. We're clearly just getting started with this story, but I felt like there was some real resolution, a real shift in dynamics that occurred by the end of the book. It made sense to end it where it did. It also broke my heart a little bit. I also adore that it broke my heart a little bit. It wasn't quite a HFN, but it felt like closure. It felt complete. ...I also am 100% going to go out of my mind waiting for the next couple of months for the next book to be released. It's already pre-ordered, but April simply cannot come fast enough!
I've already pre-ordered it. Hell, I already went back and actually bought this book even though I'd already had free access thanks to Kindle Unlimited. I want it to be mine forever.
Full disclosure: I did not have high expectations for this book. I read the summary of the book, saw that there weren't all that many reviews on Amazon or Goodreads (though, what did exist seemed positive, to be fair), and I made an unfair assumption. I judged the book by its cover. But, hey, it was on Kindle Unlimited, and werewolves + space opera sounded reminiscent of Jupiter Ascending (which, while completely and utterly ridiculous, I completely and utterly adored), so I figured: what the hell. My reactions were as follows:
5% -- Okay, world-building, I see you. Not bad. Guess I like space operas after all.
20% -- Wait... do I... like this? Is this actually... good?
30% -- Oh my god. I think I actually love this?
45% -- Wait is this only half-way through? There's a whole other half of this awesomeness? #Score
75% -- I fucking love this book. This thing might actually knock a few all-time favorites down a peg.
80% -- Wait nonononono, there's only 20% left?
94% -- ...This is a series, right? There will be millions more of this? It's not going to ever end?
98% -- Authors still exist that actually use all of the space in the book and don't waste the last 10% on ads for future books? I love this book and this author.
But in all seriousness, I adored this and was completely blown away by how quickly and fiercely I latched onto this.
The world-building, for starters, was excellent. I find the idea of space operas interesting, but they're not usually my thing. I wasn't expecting to become even slightly invested in the setting of the book, but boy did I become invested! Ravenell has a way of sharing information without making it feel like a burdensome info-dump. It started gradual, and it always fit the narration of the scene. It also made sense and was generally interesting. And that's coming from someone who doesn't really read too many space operas. So even if that's not normally your thing, you should give this a shot anyway. It's worth it.
Plot-wise, I was also extremely impressed. There are intricate little twists and turns in various places that keep you on your toes and keep you second-guessing, but there's also a comfortable pattern to things. Everything flows, and nothing feels even remotely forced, but it also isn't perfectly predictable. It feels /real/. Like each of these characters could really exist, and if you actually put this cast of humans and werewolves together on a couple of ships in space, things would progress exactly like they do in this book. It's real.
And that, obviously, includes the characters. They're multidimensional and flawed, but, again, not in any way that feels forced. They're the orchestrators of some of their own pain, but at the same time, you know exactly why they make the mistakes they make, why they react to things the way they do. It's beautiful and raw and I love each and every one of them so, so much. I want to cradle our main characters to my chest, but I also want to let them stumble around, fall, scrape their knees, and get back up. ...I haven't been this attached to a male and female lead in a long while.
We don't end on what I'd call a cliff-hanger, but I recognize there are some that might disagree. We're clearly just getting started with this story, but I felt like there was some real resolution, a real shift in dynamics that occurred by the end of the book. It made sense to end it where it did. It also broke my heart a little bit. I also adore that it broke my heart a little bit. It wasn't quite a HFN, but it felt like closure. It felt complete. ...I also am 100% going to go out of my mind waiting for the next couple of months for the next book to be released. It's already pre-ordered, but April simply cannot come fast enough!
I've already pre-ordered it. Hell, I already went back and actually bought this book even though I'd already had free access thanks to Kindle Unlimited. I want it to be mine forever.
December 18, 2024
3.5 stars, reviewing the whole series because my brain ate these up in about two days. I will do my best to not give spoilers.
The short version is: IT'S WEREWOLVES IN SPACE. Think dystopian Star Trek, but we aren't exploring the final frontier as much as we are desperately surviving and also the werewolves and humans are the only sentient races we are introduced to. But we do get some social commentary, some politics, some romance, some thought experiments, and we even get some of those tasty tasty psychological/sociological reasoning scenarios! Removed .5 stars because of copy errors, but pushing through is ultimately worthwhile.
The somewhat longer version is:
I'm very picky about my sci-fi. When I like it, it's generally because it tricked me in some way that made my brain start re-analyzing what I'd already read. I felt tricked in a few different ways, but my favorite was the explanation behind the lack of answers for the participants of the Kobayashi Maru.
The slow removal of werewolves who were likely to challenge authority, the understanding for manipulation within the command staff, the development for Bennett's character (INCLUDING THE ULTIMATE DECISION FOR HIM)....I had a great time. It felt like the author put a lot of planning into the interpersonal conflict, unique motivations and thought processes, and instinctual responses for each of the characters. Everyone was believably unique to me, including background characters.
In fact, I wanted to see MORE of some of the characters, like Clive and Belle's friendship, or what changed with Juan when he started to doubt himself, or know literally anything else about Lily other than her being an awesome werewolf and married to the guy in charge of Medical. I understand that this likely would have made the series even longer, but as someone who enjoys being lost in a 1000+ page story, I wouldn't have minded. I do understand when authors avoid that length though, because I see so many people complain about it in books that do it excellently. I just have a habit of wanting more.
I found myself torn between enjoying and skimming the technical descriptions, as sometimes they sufficiently conveyed to me how complex an issue was and sometimes they just conveyed that I had no idea what was going on. I enjoy when books teach me words (and this one definitely did!), but some of these conversations began so far above my head that when the characters were going on for a full page about what was and wasn't possible I was just ready to move on.
I read the whole series and I had a great time, but I did deduct half of a star because there are some distracting errors in the copy that had my brain going, "Okay, clearly this doesn't make sense so I'm just going to pretend it says what was clearly intended instead." Typically, when only one or two of these kinds of errors exist I don't mind it nor would I mention it, but these books had enough that I was really only saved by the storytelling and worldbuilding (which is otherwise top-tier). Errors like saying a character isn't a human when contextually it clearly means isn't a werewolf, or repeating a word within a sentence, or forgetting to finish dialogue with a quotation mark so it looks like Lachesis is saying "said Lachesis." All minor errors, but repeated instances make it a bit frustrating to read.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the series and think it's worth the read if you like werewolves and space voyages and a little bit of dystopian flavor.
The short version is: IT'S WEREWOLVES IN SPACE. Think dystopian Star Trek, but we aren't exploring the final frontier as much as we are desperately surviving and also the werewolves and humans are the only sentient races we are introduced to. But we do get some social commentary, some politics, some romance, some thought experiments, and we even get some of those tasty tasty psychological/sociological reasoning scenarios! Removed .5 stars because of copy errors, but pushing through is ultimately worthwhile.
The somewhat longer version is:
I'm very picky about my sci-fi. When I like it, it's generally because it tricked me in some way that made my brain start re-analyzing what I'd already read. I felt tricked in a few different ways, but my favorite was the explanation behind the lack of answers for the participants of the Kobayashi Maru.
The slow removal of werewolves who were likely to challenge authority, the understanding for manipulation within the command staff, the development for Bennett's character (INCLUDING THE ULTIMATE DECISION FOR HIM)....I had a great time. It felt like the author put a lot of planning into the interpersonal conflict, unique motivations and thought processes, and instinctual responses for each of the characters. Everyone was believably unique to me, including background characters.
In fact, I wanted to see MORE of some of the characters, like Clive and Belle's friendship, or what changed with Juan when he started to doubt himself, or know literally anything else about Lily other than her being an awesome werewolf and married to the guy in charge of Medical. I understand that this likely would have made the series even longer, but as someone who enjoys being lost in a 1000+ page story, I wouldn't have minded. I do understand when authors avoid that length though, because I see so many people complain about it in books that do it excellently. I just have a habit of wanting more.
I found myself torn between enjoying and skimming the technical descriptions, as sometimes they sufficiently conveyed to me how complex an issue was and sometimes they just conveyed that I had no idea what was going on. I enjoy when books teach me words (and this one definitely did!), but some of these conversations began so far above my head that when the characters were going on for a full page about what was and wasn't possible I was just ready to move on.
I read the whole series and I had a great time, but I did deduct half of a star because there are some distracting errors in the copy that had my brain going, "Okay, clearly this doesn't make sense so I'm just going to pretend it says what was clearly intended instead." Typically, when only one or two of these kinds of errors exist I don't mind it nor would I mention it, but these books had enough that I was really only saved by the storytelling and worldbuilding (which is otherwise top-tier). Errors like saying a character isn't a human when contextually it clearly means isn't a werewolf, or repeating a word within a sentence, or forgetting to finish dialogue with a quotation mark so it looks like Lachesis is saying "said Lachesis." All minor errors, but repeated instances make it a bit frustrating to read.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the series and think it's worth the read if you like werewolves and space voyages and a little bit of dystopian flavor.
December 26, 2019
The last couple of books I've read that took a paranormal romance / urban fantasy concept and put it in a sci-fi space setting didn't really do anything for me, but the way this one was executed worked surprisingly well. It fits in pretty well with Ravenell's established werewolf mythos and the social and political impacts of putting werewolf packs in space, in close proximity to humans, with all of the high-stakes implications of living in a tin can with deteriorating life support made for really interesting worldbuilding. I was happy to see that Ravenell really thought through the ramifications of having an "alpha asshole" type of male lead in this environment. She always does a nice job of treading the line between insulting the reader who enjoys the trope, and caving to wildly unrealistic expectations in the genre.
Because of course, this novel is fundamentally a romance, and Ravenell never loses sight of that. Normally I don't enjoy "communication issues" as a plot device, but without spoilers, I'll say that here it felt authentic, and tied in pretty well with the idea of the "arranged marriage" / fated mates scenario. I also enjoyed how well-integrated the characters' strengths and flaws were into the overall plot.
I did find the female lead a little short-sighted for a chapter or two toward the the beginning, but I find that's pretty normal when I read paranormal romances, so I don't want to ding the author for something that's so hard to avoid, especially given how thoroughly I enjoyed the book.
I'm looking forward to the sequels, and am especially hopeful that this series might deliver a colonization plot later down the line.
Because of course, this novel is fundamentally a romance, and Ravenell never loses sight of that. Normally I don't enjoy "communication issues" as a plot device, but without spoilers, I'll say that here it felt authentic, and tied in pretty well with the idea of the "arranged marriage" / fated mates scenario. I also enjoyed how well-integrated the characters' strengths and flaws were into the overall plot.
I did find the female lead a little short-sighted for a chapter or two toward the the beginning, but I find that's pretty normal when I read paranormal romances, so I don't want to ding the author for something that's so hard to avoid, especially given how thoroughly I enjoyed the book.
I'm looking forward to the sequels, and am especially hopeful that this series might deliver a colonization plot later down the line.
June 19, 2020
What a brilliant premise! Sci-fi werewolves in space anyone? I just love the world building in NightPiercer.
The plot is fantastic as well, with lots of twists and turns, and the pacing kept me on edge. Both the main characters, Lachesis and Rainer, are deeply flawed and so well-fleshed out. Ravenell does such a great job of pulling the reader into the protagonists' lived experiences and emotions so that you're in it with them. I felt Lachesis's fear and helplessness, and Rainer's anger like they were my own. This book is raw and steeped in the human experience.
Amazing!
The plot is fantastic as well, with lots of twists and turns, and the pacing kept me on edge. Both the main characters, Lachesis and Rainer, are deeply flawed and so well-fleshed out. Ravenell does such a great job of pulling the reader into the protagonists' lived experiences and emotions so that you're in it with them. I felt Lachesis's fear and helplessness, and Rainer's anger like they were my own. This book is raw and steeped in the human experience.
Amazing!
November 19, 2022
Not entirely what I expected, but loved it!
June 6, 2023
A completely strange premise: werewolves in space. Slow start, but it worked.
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