City of Vicious Night is the anticipated sequel to City of Shattered Light. For me, the plot ended up completely hooking me around halfway through and this action packed SF is a treat! Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
For the most hated crew on Requiem, the only way out is up.
It’s been four months since runaway heiress Asa crash-landed on the matriarchal outlaw colony Requiem, bringing a nasty AI and a host of deadly secrets with her. Now, she runs with her almost-girlfriend Riven’s smuggler crew, stealing kisses between gunfights and heists. But when a mysterious hacker sabotages their latest job, other gangs turn against them, blaming them for the destruction the rogue AI caused. Nowhere in the city is safe.
The only way to protect their crew is a series of trials for control of an underworld faction–and vying for a matriarch’s throne is a dream Riven can’t let go. But as the trials intensify, the saboteur hounds Asa and Riven’s every step, determined to kill Asa and right her father’s wrongs. When the saboteur reveals a horrific conspiracy threatening all of Requiem–one involving the crew member they thought they’d lost–the girls must decide whether to risk their own skins for a city that loathes them.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: human experimentation, alcohol abuse, drug use, suicidal ideation, sexual assault
City of Vicious Night has action from day one. Hitting the ground running, we’re absorbed back into this world of corruption, betrayal, and old mistakes coming back to haunt us. If you loved the world or the characters from City of Shattered Light, this is a must read. Not only are there twists that expose a web of shadows and unlikely alliances, but also there’s a common theme of sacrifice and protection. A wonder how do we protect those we love in the face of danger.
While we’re still reeling from the events of the first, I found that the action and intrigue definitely picks up in the latter half. The beginning is pumped full of action, but for me there were some revelations later on that were gripping. Additionally, I enjoyed that City of Vicious Night has some interesting themes it plays with as the book progresses. I think the primary focus is certainly the action, then followed by the characters, but the themes it introduces are intriguing.
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This idea of wondering how responsible we are for our inaction. For our family and past mistakes. And how can we fix them? If you love the idea of an ever evolving SF world, deadly competitions, and explosions, City of Vicious Night is your book! Find City of Vicious Night on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Indiebound, Bookshop.org, & The Book Depository.