The Blighted Stars

I love me a good sci-fi involving malevolent hive mind aliens and body horror “zombies”!

I liked the major characters, from the antagonists to the protagonists. Some of the side/lesser characters were kinda flat, but not so much that they bored me when they were on page.

Tarquin and Naira's relationship developed a little faster than I wanted, but it wasn't as fast as an “enemies to lovers” romantasy, so I'll take it. No sex, only tender moments and sparing kisses. I liked their personalities separate and together, and the webs that were woven throughout. I thought their reunion at the end was a little too convenient. I get that there is a lingering ghost memory, but the beginning-of-the-book Naira wouldn't've trusted him so quickly..

I really liked the technology here. And how it all goes together. The body-swapping and pathways were fascinating. While fictional, it felt grounded.

I loved how quickly it turned from a space opera to a horror story especially when Naira boards the Einkorn (I wish that sequence was a little longer, but maybe the sequels will have some Dead Space 2 residential sequences (please).