If you’re a fan of Star Wars, you may have seen this book floating around the Star Wars Twitter-sphere under the moniker “the Finnpoe book.” Emily Skrutskie actually ships Finnpoe and was inspired by their dynamic to write this space opera centered around a M/M romance. That’s what drew a lot of Finnpoe shippers to this book and what prompted me to request the ARC on Netgalley.

As a YA book, this would be average. Perhaps mediocre. But according to the author and her publisher, this is an adult book. And as an adult book, it’s bad. Not rage-inducingly awful, but poorly written and constructed. Everything is sloppy and ham-fisted, from the characters to the romance to the plot. From a debut author, I could forgive it. But this is Skrutskie’s fourth novel (albeit her first adult effort). She should know better.

The story is told in first person present tense, so Ettian’s inner conflict is constantly being shoved down the reader’s throat. Every few pages, the reader had to read about how torn Ettian is over his allegiance to the Umber Empire and the rebellion and Gal himself. It’s exhausting.

Moreover, his motivations don’t make any sense (especially when you factor in the plot twist at the end). Allegedly, everything he does is for Gal. And yet he spends 60% of the book not fully trusting Gal and even avoiding him.

The twist also necessitates that Ettian is a hypocrite. It’s also somehow both poorly foreshadowed and completely predictable. I didn’t even know that was possible to do until I read this book.

Not only does it contradict Ettian’s character, but it isn’t even satisfying payoff to his arc. Throughout the whole book, Ettian talks about his childhood dream to become a knight like the vigilantes of his youth. They were essentially superheroes. Skrutskie plants lots of hints that he could one day get his wish and then… gives him an entirely different backstory and role. I would’ve loved to see Ettian become a knight and maybe even revive the practice, but this book lives to destroy the only character arc with potential.

Gal’s character is confusing because he starts the story as a charming ne’er-do-well and then spends the bulk of the book closed off, angry, and untrusting (even of Ettian, who he supposedly trusts with his life). There’s also a bizarre emphasis on the fact that Gal is apparently capable of great evil because he has “his mother’s blood.” But just having someone’s blood running through your veins doesn’t decide your morals or personality. He’s just entitled and bratty and looking for someone to blame.

As I mentioned previously, Ettian and Gal spend the bulk of this book barely trusting or spending time with each other. This means their romance gets no development. They have good banter at the beginning and a little in the last 20%, but otherwise they have zero chemistry. Why are they in love? Who knows?

The only other main character is Wen, a chaotic girl with a half-burned face raised in a gang. Her character is fine, but her friendship with Ettian makes no sense given how it starts. Wen basically tricks him into a situation that puts he and Gal in even more danger, and yet by the end of the fallout of her con he’s willing to put his life on the line for her. Has it already forgotten he wouldn’t even be in this mess if not for Wen? I guess so.

The plot is interesting enough, but takes some really bizarre turns. Laughably, something happens toward the end of the book that renders most of the character’s decisions up until that then pointless. Presumably, it’s going to impact the rest of the series, but what a slap in the reader’s face. You made me go through all that for nothing?

But I could forgive all this to a certain extent if the author and publisher were marketing this series as YA. It certainly reads like YA. It’s not just that the characters are teenagers— that alone does not a YA novel make. It’s the simplistic writing style, the narrative style, the characterization, and the so-so development of the romance. Sure, there are YA books that do all of this well. But there are also a lot that are exactly like this book.

The narrative shies away from the ugliest parts of having your home invaded by a foreign empire, only addressing it on a very surface level. Skrutskie pays mere lip service to the trauma the citizens of the former Archon Empire have endured. In fact, nothing seems to have major consequences. Even their blasters are set to stun, never kill. Despite the fact that most of the characters are military soldiers.

The biggest sign this is a YA book in adult Sci-Fi’s clothing is the substitute swears. Skrutskie has chosen the cringiest way to keep her characters from saying “fuck.” Instead, they say “rut” or “ruttin’.” Instead of “I’m fucked,” they say “I’m humped.” I felt embarrassed just by reading those words.

Obviously, an author doesn’t have to swear in their book if they don’t want to. But using fake swear words is so early 2010s YA. Besides, “fucked” already has a family-friendly substitute: screwed. “Fucking” has “freaking and “friggin’.” Or you could just not have them swear (though “shit” doesn’t seem to be a problem for Skrutskie).

While the story does revolve around a M/M romance and both Ettian and Gal are implied to be bisexual, this novel leaves a lot to be desired in the race department. Ettian is black, but it’s unclear whether anyone else is. There are a couple (extremely) minor characters of color, but they have little to no relevance to the plot.

My main issue, however, is how Ettian describes his skin. In one scene where he’s trying to blend in, Ettian describes his skin as “darker-than-average.” I think this is only meant to imply there aren’t many other black people around (which is a problem in and of itself), but the phrasing makes it sound like white skin is average or “default” and black skin is other.

Granted, I am not black and I could be reading too much into this. But the wording just seems wrong and insensitive, if not racist.

I wanted so, so, so badly to love this book. Hell, I expected to. I love Star Wars and Finnpoe. Even though I knew this book wouldn’t and couldn’t be exactly that, I still thought it would be good. Sadly, Bonds of Brass is an even bigger letdown than The Rise of Skywalker (which I actually loved, but I couldn’t not make that joke).

Go preorder this. Don't even bother with my review, just buy it. This is a story of conquest: conquered and conqueror. Both living under the same roof. Fighting for the same team.

And I lived for it.

Ettian Nassun's life did not go as planned. He lost his family in the war and invasion that ended with his planet, and the entire Archon empire, being captured by the militaristic Umber Empire. After he lost everything, Ettian lived on the streets before joining the Umber military academy. There, he thrives, becoming the best pilot in his class and a new sense of purpose. His old life is gone. He'll make the best of the life he does have.

Gal Veres is his roommate and best friend. And maybe more, if Ettian wants to risk their friendship. Gal is the kind of guy everyone likes, he can talk people into doing things they wouldn't want to do on their own. His entire time at the academy has been spent trying to work against the Umber tactics and find a different way.

Oh, and he also happens to be the heir to Umber Empire.

And the secret comes out when their entire class turns against Gal during an exercise and tries to kill him. And Ettian jumps up to protect him, even when he finds out that Gal's family is the reason he went through all the hell he has gone through. This decision wasn't without internal debate. Ettian feels like he is betraying his Empire, the Empire he lost, while also feeling like protecting Gal is his way through to the future. Which is a big feature in Bonds of Brass: Ettian's internal struggles between who he was and who he is trying to be.

But even when Gal is safe again, he isn't. Locked away in the headmaster's office, Gal is unable to escape and is about to be used as a tool to threaten his family with. Ettian breaks him out and they go on the run. Which is when the book, and their potential relationship, really starts going. Two teenagers, on the run, trying to figure out how to get the heir to an empire home without alerting those who wish him ill.

So they go to the empire next door, the Corinthian Empire, which the Umber empire hasn't yet set its sights on. They figure the bad agents wouldn't be looking for an heir in the territory of their neighbor and not-quite-ally-but-also-not-enemy. However, they're in a stolen ship they have to unload, with no other resources. And the planet is harboring a rebellion from former Archon Empire.

Which proves perfect for Ettian and Gal's plans.

Bonds of Brass was perfect. It was young adult, and it read young adult. These two characters don't always make the best decisions. I loved Ettian's internal struggle. And Ettian and Gal's friendship together is great, too. Their dynamic was just ideal. I love how Ettian's goal is basically just to be Gal's bodyguard, friend, and helper as much as he can. Even though it isn't a role that always feels natural, except when it does.

But the real kicker is that ending. Holy shit. That ending. Read this book. You know you want to.

I need book two so badly right now, y'all.

ARC received from Del Rey Books on Netgalley. This did not affect my review.

Thank you, NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book is largely good, with just a few things that felt a little off that knocked it from great to good.

Pros: The diversity is lit, yay for queer romance front and center, the world feels real, the writing goes along at a good pace. I was in need of something fast-paced and this definitely delivered.

Cons: Some things could just be a bit better. I think the novel would have benefited from the adult science fiction treatment -- as a YA novel it feels a little unrealistic at times. In addition, the politics of this are... murky. There are some sections where <SPOILER> Ettian really has an internal dialogue about murdering a whole bunch of 'enemy' soldiers just because he is in love with Gal? And it's like... weird. </SPOILER> In Skrutskie's defense, however, politics of revenge and imperialism ARE hard and complicated and murky. So, not sure I can fault her for that.

This is a GOOD book, with a GREAT ending that I truly didn't see coming. All in all, it's worth a shot.

Bonds of Brass by Emily Skrutskie is about two cadet pilots who are very obviously in love with each other and are living in an empire that has recently consumed another empire in a very bloody war. The majority of the story is about Ettian keeping Gal (who you find out in the very beginning of the book is a prince) safe from various people. I LOVED this book. It was angsty, romantic, fun, funny, and entertaining. And it’s gay!!! Which makes every book better.

It is a bit predictable, I guessed the twist ending pretty early on but I've never been put off by predictability of a book if its written well, which this book is!

I was originally gonna give this a 4.5 because it definitely slowed down a bit in the middle. This book is exactly what it promises to be and I would highly recommend it.

However the ending absolutely ruined me.

People keep saying Emily Skrutskie’s space opera adventure BONDS OF BRASS is basically Finn/Poe fanfic, and I disagree.

Oh, the pedigree is there, but this story has a much deeper….birthright, if you will.

If you don’t know what Finn/Poe is, I cannot and won’t help you. Employ Google-Fu to understand just what Disney *could have had* with two beloved characters in its Star Wars portfolio and chose not to.

BONDS OF BRASS is basically what you might get if FIREFLY, the BLACK PANTHER movie, and DUNE got smashed one night in a greasy little dive bar and drunkenly cooked up a M/M space opera adventure.

Because it’s YA the romance between Ettian and Gal doesn’t get too graphically physical, and that’s a good thing. It allows more time for what we fanfic shippers love best: the psychological beats of a great romance. The highs, the lows, the hard choices, exultant screams, black moments, and forged-in-fire realizations. The good stuff.

I’m not going to rehash the story from the blurbs, which should get you to PREORDER THIS BOOK.

I’m also not going to indulge in overt spoilers in this review.

There’s a FIREFLY homage in here that is so perfect it made me sniffle in joy and go look for fresh strawberries.

Ettian and Gal’s banter is priceless, and almost always serves two purposes in the story, buying them time to hatch daring escapades while humanizing them even more to readers.

Skrutskie’s writing is clear, vivid, and fast-paced. Some readers have complained that there’s too much political machination in the book, but that is the core of the plot. Others thought there wasn’t enough worldbuilding. For a YA space opera, I thought this book hit the right balance.

There are complaints that Ettian is an unreliable narrator, but I would point out he’s a teenager with deeply-buried PTSD from horrific events witnessed early in life. Even acknowledging those events could have gotten him killed in the place of (relative) safety he found.

By the second or third chapter, without reading the last chapter to confirm, I knew exactly what Ettian's Big Secret would be. I wanted to see how Skrutskie got there, and how her characters dealt with all the ramifications of that reveal.

I thought it was a satisfying first novel in the planned trilogy, and a great experiment boldly taken by the author, agent, and publisher. Along with C.S. Pacat’s CAPTIVE PRINCE series, it adds legitimately well-told and produced LGBTQIA themed stories to modern science-fiction and fantasy publishing.

ARC provided by NetGalley for reviewing purposes.



I’m conflicted on this book. Overall I enjoyed it and I thought the ending was good, I might pick on the next one.
But I really couldn’t follow a long. After a bit the plot got confusing for me and I didn’t really enjoy the build up with Ettian’s backstory. The romance wasn’t bad, I enjoyed it sometimes, but other times I wanted to strangle them. It was really drawn out and really nothing was stopping them getting together I felt. The drawn out build up really was only a buffer I felt. Also they rarely ever communicated! Like boys, talk it out! I really didn’t understand the war and why there was a war, plus the government systems. I definitely think this series has a lot of potential and I’ll reread it after it’s officially released to try and gather a better grasp of it.

I enjoyed the setting and some of the world building in this book. I didn't realize it was young adult before I started reading it, so I expected more detailed world building and more believable action. However, I know YA books aren't big on either of these things.

[SPOILERS]
My enjoyment of this book fluctuated a lot while I read it. I was interested in what happened to the characters for most of the journey, but had trouble connecting to them more often than not. Ettian's character development was stunted, mostly because of his secrets, so hopefully the next book will be better on this front. Gal was interesting at first and then became a very bland character. I know that he was already drawing away from Ettian before the end, so we as readers saw less of him. It would have been nice if there was more of a connection between Ettian and Gal, though. I like the idea of having a M/M romance in this series, but it felt like it never got there. Ettian proclaimed to himself that the universe wasn't worth living in without Gal, but beyond that it felt like there was nothing between the two of them. Ettian had a much stronger connection with Wan. I enjoyed Wan's character. I felt more of a connection to her character than I did to Ettian, which is a major problem.

I planned on giving this book a 2 star review before the ending. It felt a bit bland/shallow. I had trouble connecting to characters. I upped this book a star because the ending showed a reason for the lack of development in Ettian. It would have worked better with hints about Ettian throughout. Maybe memories here and there (completely out of context, so as not to hint at too much). I get the impression that Ettian has decided that he no longer wants to feel anything because he doesn't know how to process loss. This stunted the romance in the book a ton. If Ettian really isn't feeling anything, how can he feel love? The answer is that he's not, especially in this book (I didn't really feel it from his character, at least) Hopefully the author tackles this in a later book, because it could lead to really interesting development in his character.

This is an action packed book. You have Gal, who is the Umber heir. Wen, is a homeless girl that is excellent at electronics. Ettian is a boy, whose parents were killed in an attack on his nation. He is left with no family or home. He roams around until he is taken into a home and then sent for training to be a pilot. There he meets Gal. They are roommates. There is a simmering love connection between the two. There is a point where Gal is captured and Ettian and Wen try to save him. The course of events that unfold will leave you shocked.

I was very excited reading the description of this book, it has everything I love in a story on paper - forbidden romance, sci-fi, space adventures, and gay content. However, I was actually a little bit slow to get into the story because the politics are a little dense. Ettian is also an incrediby opaque narrator. He's hard to read, and hides things even from the reader, which is frustrating but is also an excellent example of an unrealiable narrator.

So where the story suffers emotionally from Ettian's distant emotions, and his character choices don't always make sense because of this, it actually lends the ending a little more "punch." While I was a little annoyed by the characters through the middle of the story, I think that comes from where we start in their relationship. Ettian and Gal are ALREADY best friends, so while they are "falling in love" and exploring their attraction, the trust between them is also deteriorating, which makes it hard to understand why they like each other so much. There is not enough "show, don't tell" about their relationship. We don't get to see much of the good stuff aside from Ettian's loyalty and protectiveness towards Gal.

All of that aside, I had a great time. This book is fun and exciting and I couldn't put it down. I was teetering around 4 stars for most of the book, but I'll bump it up to a 5 because I was so compelled by the ending. I was so mad about the twist (in a good way) that I was immediately desperate for the next book. I can't wait to see where Emily Skrutskie takes these characters and what she does with the fate of the empire(s). I can forgive my frustrations with the relationship because this is only book one, so we have to have somewhere to go from here. If we got an easy happily ever after, no one would need book two.

I know 2020 just started but I truly believe this is the best book of the year. I could not put it down!

pros:
• ettian/gal/wen: their banter was hilarious and i can’t wait to see what they’re like in the other books
• ettian/gal and ettian/wen: both vastly different but interesting relationships
• writing style: sometimes when I start a new book it takes me a couple chapters to get used to how the author writes. i did not feel that way while reading this

cons:
• the use of rut instead of any other word

Bonds of Brass: 5 Stars
This was one hell of a ride and I can't wait to own this book and stare at it's beauty ♥
Such amazingly written and a story that keeps you interested constantly. If i wouldn't have read it during christmas I probably would have read it in one sitting. Because it was that damn good!

Characters:
Ettian is loyal, easily suspicious, has a heart too big for his body, protective, a little broken by his past, sassy, the strategist, one hell of a pilot and he knows it.

Gal is charismatic, good, puts way too much pressure onto himself, a flirt, has a sense of responsibility, is a prankster and has such a big heart as well.

Wen is a badass, independent, reckless Troublemaker who has been dealt a very hard life so far. If she likes someone they're stuck with her - if they want to be or not. She also has a rainbow umbrella that I literally fell in love with.
(yes. The book made me emotionally attached to an umbrella)

I adored the side characters as well and am looking forward to meeting them all again in BoB2


Plot:
This book did not have a single dull moment. If we were flying through space or just having a sit in with the characters I was enthralled. My favorite moments where the character bonding scenes and the struggle that Ettian went through. Just being in his thoughts had me utterly excited and I wanted to stay there. I wanted to listen to him think for hours and hours.
There are lots of exciting action and adventure scenes as well. It was just a fantastic mix.
I honestly think that even people who aren't big sci-fi fans would enjoy this book - because how could anyone not?


Checklist:
Do you want a Sci-Fi adventure that is constantly keeping you at the edge of your seat?
Disastrous boys that you can't help but love and root for?
Badass Woman who steal your Heart?
To get emotionally attached to a freaking Umbrella?!?!
To be torn up inside and not know which decision you want the mc to make?
A Story that up until the final 30 pages you have no idea how this first part will end?
A Love Story for the Ages! ♥
PINING and fake dating and not being able to be together?
Several Squads that you can't wait to see again?
Amazing writing and worldbuilding?
Twists and Turns that are eluded to but not shoved in your face?
SECRET IDENTITIES?
A glorious ending that makes you wish you owned the entire trilogy already?
Not knowing who you can trust?
To feel torn up about the impossible choices these characters have to make?

then, please, do yourself a favor and read this beauty of a Book ♥

and now we wait for the Sequel...
patiently...
(or at least pretend to. I NEED IT)

Up until the last 5% of this book, it was going to be two stars, but I really enjoyed the ending and am excited to see where the sequel takes the storyline. Which is quite interesting because I wasn't actually enjoying the story all that much up until then, and I still don't particularly love all of the imperial stuff. In regards to the characters, I love my favorite chaos daughter Wen, while I feel very mixed about Ettian and Gal, unfortunately.

Yes! I’m so happy this was a M/M sci-fi romance—THAT IS WHAT I NEEDED. Such a fun book. Ettian and Gal were delightful. I had my issues with them, but overall it was super fun, action-packed with space-battles and a freaking cliff hanger! The fall out they caused? Holy cow.

I will say Ettian was a bad communicator. I needed him to say more about what bothered him. I do hate it when our characters keep their feelings to themselves. Like, say SOMETHING. Don’t keep it bottled up inside.

A really fun space adventure that feels fresh and pleasantly surprising in its handling of the main relationship. I would recommend it for younger teen readers as I did feel a bit too old for it while reading, but I'm glad this exists and am rooting for the series to do well – we need more stories like this.

Once I got into this book I couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with the characters and wanted them all to win in any way they could. I can’t wait to read more about them.

*Spoiler free*

I originally passed by this book, first because I thought it was the sequel to Hullmetal Girls, second because I thought it was an adult book that for some reason wouldn't interest me. Well, the author tweeted something that this book has queer space boys, one of whom is a secret prince to an empire. She tweeted it in light of the FinnPoe Star Wars news and my interest shot up to a thousand percent, because a queer space story sounds amazing.

I'm not sure where to start with this book, other than to say that I really, really enjoyed. I don't know why I didn't think I would, but it was really good.

There was a lot that I didn't expect with this book. I wasn't expecting how morailty would be ripped apart, I didn't expect to fall in love with a girl who wields a rainbow umbrella, I didn't expect, I didn't expect to love the world or for the world to be what it was. Ettian and Gal also surprised me with who they were and where they went. But, I ended up loving them.

I'm struggling to figure out what I want to say about this book! It was good and I liked it, but words are harder with this one for some reason. Plus, a lot of the things I loved fall into spoiler territory. On the top, like the things you get from the synopsis, this book is amazing. There's queer space boys, one of who is the heir to a brutal empire. The other has to flee after an attack at their academy and they have to go on the run. Like, that's incredible. BUT THERE'S MORE I CAN'T TALK ABOUT BECAUSE OF SPOILERS.

I guess I'll start off with the morality.

This book was a lot heavier than I expected. It deals with war and making hard, hard decisions. The kind of decisions that affect the soul. I usually have a hard time with these kinds of books, but I actually really enjoyed this one. Gal and Ettian were trying to make decisions, while also struggling with moral dilemmas and figuring out where they fit into the hierarchy of their world. They're also wrestling with feelings for each other and trying to stay alive in increasingly dangerous situations. It gives the feeling of characters being ripped apart from the inside, but there's secret dreams, adorable relationships, and lots of spaceship flying to balance everything out.

I'm going to jump right to the ending. THAT ENDING WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. I sort of had a hunch, but a more of a "oh that would be cool, but I doubt it will happen", but it happened and it was amazing. It creates something so spectacular and it honestly changes the dynamics of the entire book (in the best way) and it sets up the rest of the trilogy so, so well. It makes everything more complicated and I can't wait to see how the relationships progress and honestly just anything that happens next. This is the biggest part of the more that I can't talk about because of spoilers.

For me, this isn't the kind of book you talk in depth about. It's the kind of book you list off aspects until everybody runs off to buy it because it's packed full of amazing things. Queer space boys (this basically sold it to me), a secret prince (I wanted the book in my hands as soon as possible with this point), mutual pining/best friends-to-lovers (the pressure builds), and a rebellion, an assassination attempt, and a space academy (here is where my heart basically explodes). There's also a girl who can slip out of any situation, the best curse words, metal hands, and a plot twist that blew my mind. I am very much looking forward to seeing where this series is going!

You name it; this book has it: space, secret royals, slow-burn romance, umbrellas being used as weapons…
I loved this book! I started and finished it in less than a day because I couldn’t put it down. I’ll just mention a few of my favorite things about it:

1. The plot twists. Every time I got comfortable, the book would throw a new twist at me, and I loved them all. I’ll admit that I guessed the big twist at the end, but it didn’t make the reveal any less exciting or satisfying.

2. The characters. Ettian and Gal are both interesting, dimensional characters. The friendship bond between Ettian and Wen is one of my favorite elements of the book. I also found the side characters just as wonderful, even the ones we only meet for a few scenes like Hanji and Ollins.

3. The worlds. We get vivid images of Runa and Delos, as well as the differences and similarities between the two. They are two completely different planets, yet people are still people and able to make connections.

Overall, I adored this book, and I absolutely recommend it. Anyone who enjoys drama, exciting stories, and intriguing romance plots will love this book, even if you’re not much of a Sci Fi fan.

I’m already adding BONDS OF BRASS to my favorites list for 2020. I loved this fast-paced space opera. Thank you, Del Rey, for giving me the opportunity to read and review the egalley!

Let’s dive in. Bonds of Brass gripped me by the collar and tugged me along on its galaxy-wide adventure. It read like an action movie (my *favorite* kind of sci-fi), every scene pulling me deeper into Ettian and Gal’s dangerous post-war world. The voice and pacing will appeal to both adult and YA readers, and this book has huge potential to cross over. When the book releases, I’ll be throwing this series at people who love YA like Skyward and Aurora Rising, as well as readers of the Red Rising Saga and Becky Chambers’ and Alex White’s work. I’d like more fun, exciting space operas starring queer teens / early 20-year-olds please!

Now, I'm off to hibernate until April so I can hug the finished copy.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of “Bonds of Brass” by Emily Skrutskie. Thoughts and opinions are my own.

Space books aren’t usually on the top of my TBR pile, but Emily Skrutskie is an author I know will deliver an excellent story. And my trust was not misplaced as immediately I was drawn into Ettian and Gal’s friendship. These boys, oh my goodness! I adore them.

Ettian is an orphan of an intergalactic war. He’s just trying to keep his head down at the military school of the Umber empire responsible for him being an orphan. Ettian’s other focus is keeping his best friend Gal out of trouble. But everything Ettian thought he knew about Gal is thrown into question when a group of students turn their guns on Gal during a training exercise. Ettain saves Gal once again only to discover Gal is the heir of the ruling Umber empire.

With a target on Gal’s back, the friends are forced to steal a ship and flee their academy. They embark on a journey across the galaxy to get Gal safely back to his home to take his rightful place in the bloodthirsty Umber dynasty. But Ettain is convinced he knows Gal well enough that Gal will be the best thing for the galaxy. Gal isn’t bloodthirsty, he’s Ettain’s best friend and maybe more? Or is he?

No spoilers for the ending but I will say you can buckle up all you want but you will not be prepared. Give me the next book immediately I cannot wait!

5/5 stars