And that's usually not something you want from your reader. I spent the second-half of this book rooting against the main characters. Gal: demands loyalty he has no right to and occasionally makes a sad face about it, as though that makes it fine.

Gal: Get's pissy that Ettien won't share his tragic backstory with him. Gal: apparently never considered the fact that his parents are the reason Ettien's an orphan Gal: complete and total disregard for the fact that his parents literally conquered Ettien's homeworld. Gal: I see there are two beds in this room but let's share anyway, kk?Įttian: pages and pages of waffling indecision. But not impossible! For example, here's one way the book could have pulled it off:Įttian: Hey, Empire that conquered my people, fuck you!Įttian: Also, hey, what's left of my people and that fancy rebellion you're working on, fuck you!Įttian: Literally the only thing I care about is Gal and if you're not Gal then, yep, fuck you!Įttian: I will happily destroy this plant and any other planet to stay by Gal's side, sorry not sorry. These one has a metal arm and used to be a pirate! Aren't they great?īonds of Brass: Anyway, our heroes are going to betray them to save the evil empire. Does he save the man who's won his heart and trust that Gal's goodness could transform the empire? Or does he throw his lot in with the brewing rebellion and fight to take back what's rightfully theirs?īonds of Brass: Here is an evil conquering empire.īonds of Brass: The empress murdered her own sister.īonds of Brass: Here is a poor, conquered world.īonds of Brass: Look at these wicked cool flying knights they had!īonds of Brass: Look at all these bad-ass rebels, fighting to destroy the evil empire! They're so likable and cool. As they piece together a way to deliver Gal safely to his throne, Ettian finds himself torn in half by an impossible choice.

Ettian barely manages to save his best friend and flee the compromised Academy unscathed, rattled both that Gal stands to inherit the empire that broke him and that there are still people willing to fight back against Umber rule. Even better, he's met Gal Veres-his exasperating and infuriatingly enticing roommate who's made the Academy feel like a new home.īut when dozens of classmates spring an assassination plot on Gal, a devastating secret comes to light: Gal is the heir to the Umber Empire. He's spent seven years putting himself back together under its rule, joining an Umber military academy and becoming the best pilot in his class. A young pilot risks everything to save his best friend-the man he trusts most and might even love-only to learn that he's secretly the heir to a brutal galactic empire.Įttian Nassun's life was shattered when the merciless Umber Empire invaded.

Bonds of brass by emily skrutskie