Shadow Run by Adrianne Strickland, Michael Miller Series: Kaitan Chronicles #1
Published by Delacorte (3.21.2017)
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: eARC, 400 pages
Source: NetGalley
Nev has just joined the crew of the starship Kaitan Heritage as the cargo loader. His captain, Qole, is the youngest-ever person to command her own ship, but she brooks no argument from her crew of orphans, fugitives, and con men. Nev can't resist her, even if her ship is an antique.
As for Nev, he's a prince, in hiding on the ship. He believes Qole holds the key to changing galactic civilization, and when her cooperation proves difficult to obtain, Nev resolves to get her to his home planet by any means necessary.
But before they know it, a rival royal family is after Qole too, and they're more interested in stealing her abilities than in keeping her alive.
Nev's mission to manipulate Qole becomes one to save her, and to survive, she'll have to trust her would-be kidnapper. He may be royalty, but Qole is discovering a deep reservoir of power--and stars have mercy on whoever tries to hurt her ship or her crew.
My thoughts
What I liked:
- Space!
- Shadow, and Qole’s ability to wield it
- ….well, crap, that’s it
What I didn’t like:
- The horrible pacing
- The dual POVs. It was very confusing and I often forgot who I was reading. There wasn’t really a distinction between them
- The “white people are royalty and dark people are savages” trope. I’m not sure it was intended that way, as there were dark skinned people in the palace as well, but poor/careless writing nonetheless (am I the only one that noticed this?? Or is it just a problem in the ARC?)
- Also what is going on with Basra?? He was randomly a woman with no explanation? Or was he just dressing like one?? I feel like it was haphazardly thrown in as an afterthought simply for the sake of diversity. It was never re-visited, which seems lazy to me. “Let’s make this dude that’s been a he through the whole book be a she in this scene so we can be diverse”
I was pretty bored throughout most of this book. The concept of shadow was very unique and intriguing, but everything else felt rather bland and generic. The pacing dragged as well because the writing was dry. I think having to force myself through this one for a tour also killed a lot of enjoyment for it, but it felt rather apathetic. I couldn’t connect to the story or the characters at all.
I usually love space books, but this one just didn’t work for me I’m afraid.
Overall Assessment
Plot: 3/5
Premise: 4/5
Writing style: 2/5
Originality: 3.5/5
Characters: 2/5
World-building: 3/5
Pace: 1/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall rating: 2/5
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