Victories Greater Than Death

While I loved the queer romance and the sci-fi idea, the content of the book fell short; info-dumps, abrupt starting-and-stopping of scenes, and things feeling like they could've slown down a bit at times yet sped up at others left the book harder to get through than I would've hoped. It's always a shame, because most often when I read novels I struggle to get through, the idea is really, really cool, but it's the writing, editing, and/or pacing that keeps the book from reaching a 4 or 5 star potential (or even 3 star potential). For this book, that was what I noticed. Better pacing and more time to get to know the characters before abrupt battle-like scenes, as well as less info-dumping (sometimes it's needed, I get it, but too much is TOO MUCH) could've made a painfully average novel more enticing and stellar.

I am in love with this story. I will be singing its praises to anyone who will listen. Victories Greater than Death is a cozy scifi, hopepunk adventure about found family, learning your identity, and the harmful legacies we inherit. It is full of brilliantly realized queer representation (including bi, pan, trans, nonbinary, and polyamorous). It is smart, funny, and sweet. It made me cry and feel safe. I absolutely cannot say enough about how good this novel is.