Okay, super cool science and lore behind the crystborns. It's definitely a plus when the science fiction part of a sci-fi book is the standout.

There's a lot to recommend this book: sapphic, space pirates, space mysteries, cool sci-fi. My only note is that I wish the secondary characters had a bit more to them, especially Amandine's crew. This isn't only a want due to my consistent want of found families to attach myself to in an almost-parasocial way, but also in this book specifically, it would have made some parts of the book hit a lot harder, and I'm nothing if not wanting emotional wallops.

Megan E. O'Keefe has easily established herself as one of my favourite sci-fi authors out there right now due to her strong character writing and even stronger imagination when it comes to unique sci-fi. Come for the sapphic space pirates, stay for the fucked up crystborn lore.

Thank you to the publisher, Orbit, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

The Two Lies of Faven Sythe is such a fun space pirate story. The titular character belongs to a humanoid crystal-based species that has the power to chart starpaths through the universe. When Faven’s mentor mysteriously vanishes, she does everything she can to track her down, which leads to her tangling with Captain Bitter Amandine, a pirate with a fierce reputation.

This book has a lot going for it. The setting is fantastic and the language used to describe the various crystal and celestial elements is gorgeous. The plot is also pretty fast-paced, which makes the story fly by. But the real heart of the book is the dynamic between Faven and Amandine—the push and pull between the pair is perfectly executed.

My one criticism is that I wish there’d been more words spent developing the various side characters, particularly Amandine’s crew. I was so intrigued by them and wanted to get to know them all, but found that they were only lightly sketched. That's the only thing holding this book back from being 5 stars for me!

Queer space pirates - what’s not to love? They even drink rum. Like many sprawling space operas, the story starts off a bit slow as it introduces new characters, world building, and lore. But once everything clicks into place and the mystery begins to unfold, the pace picks up significantly. While the plot doesn’t break much new ground or push the boundaries of the genre, it’s still a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read.

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. If you like the sound of queer space pirates, you should read this book! I really liked the characters in this, and the first two thirds were flawless. I felt the last third by comparison was a little rushed and quite complex, but overall an excellent space opera that is very much worth a read!

Space pirates and a tantalising queer romance.

Faven is a cryst-born navigator, grown from a crystal and returned to crystal. She is following a conspiracy after her mentor flies into the Clutch, a graveyard no one returns from, and gets herself captured by pirates.
Bitter Amandine is the captain of a misfit crew just trying to get by. Think of her as a Robin Hood-esque pirate.

Faven is impulsive. She wants to decide for herself for once instead of relying on the strict and protective governing body - the Choir. She has a self-imposed cage to keep the feelings at bay.
Amandine is a woman wrapped in wry amusement, carrying a fierce protective streak for her tiny crew of three. She is running from a past and does NOT dally with hostages.

This is snarky, emotional, and thrilling.

<b>“That’s a terrible plan.”
“We know,” Tully said with a toothy grin, “but we were hoping that once things were in motion, you’d catch wind of what was up and come up with a better one.”
Amandine laughed. “The faith you have in me.”
</b>
The cryst-born are slowly consumed by the very power they wield until there is nothing left but a beautiful edifice. Now tell me this doesn’t scream potential PAINFUL EMOTIONAL DAMAGE.

<b>“You’re telling me you’re a rock.”
Her chin lifted. “I am a concretion of divine light.”
“All right. A very pretty rock.”</b>

This felt very satisfying to read as a standalone, but I could also see the world being expanded with more adventures. Especially, as the epilogue tied things off too neatly with threads threatening to snap.

Arc gifted by Tor Books.