Genre: Science-Fiction/Horror
Release Date: April 19th, 2024
Pages: 384
Publisher: Tor Nightfire
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“Space exploration can be lonely and isolating.
Psychologist Dr. Ophelia Bray has dedicated her life to the study and prevention of ERS—a space-based condition most famous for a case that resulted in the brutal murders of twenty-nine people. When she’s assigned to a small exploration crew, she’s eager to make a difference. But as they begin to establish residency on an abandoned planet, it becomes clear that crew is hiding something.
While Ophelia focuses on her new role, her crewmates are far more interested in investigating the eerie, ancient planet and unraveling the mystery behind the previous colonizer’s hasty departure than opening up to her.
That is, until their pilot is discovered gruesomely murdered. Is this Ophelia’s worst nightmare starting—a wave of violence and mental deterioration from ERS? Or is it something more sinister?
Terrified that history will repeat itself, Ophelia and the crew must work together to figure out what’s happening. But trust is hard to come by… and the crew isn’t the only one keeping secrets.”
My Review:
I devoured this book!
I was immediately gripped by the atmosphere and events. I fell in love with all of the crew and their varying personalities. There’s some fantastic banter between them throughout the story.
I did struggle in the beginning to grasp some of the politics and character backstory with Dr. Bray and her family. But it didn’t take long for me to get a better understanding and become invested.
I loved learning about how humans have expanded their interstellar reach, built colonies on other planets, found proof of other intelligent life having existed, the way that governments have structured, and all the new technological advancements. This is one of the most fun parts about reading a sci-fi book like this one – all the different ways we can imagine ourselves and our lives in the future.
The character development is crafted exceptionally well. The pacing was immaculate. We got to know the characters and ride along with them on their mission. Everyone has secrets in their pasts. And as the story progresses, we learn more and more about these tragic, terrible events.
The creepy and sinister plot elements slowly build and kept me guessing. I was feverishly turning the pages to find out what happened next. There are eerie, disturbing things and ominous tension throughout.
Because some of the horror elements are psychological, we have the added unreliable narrator elements that I always find so intriguing. Not only are their individual arcs for the characters within themselves, but the relationships between the characters are equally well-developed.
I love that we get to read from a psychologist’s perspective. It was interesting to experience the discussions about the interactions between deep space living/travel and the human psyche. It gave us unique insight into what everyone was going through and how it could be affecting them.
This is one of those books that will have you sleeping with a light on. I was absolutely absorbed into this story from start to finish. It’s just so freaking good. It’s everything you could want from a sci-fi horror. I just don’t even have the words to express how much I enjoyed this. You have to read this one!
This is Barnes’s best yet! They always say that the second book is the hardest to write but you wouldn’t know it from this one. Officially an auto-buy author for me now, I will read everything she writes. Easily going to be a favorite read of the year for me.
Disclaimers:
Huge thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for gifting me an early copy of this amazing story! I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Have you read this book? Planning to add it to your TBR?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
I love a good book discussion. 🙂
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