Title: Only Cold Depths
Series: Galactic Bonds #4
Previous books in this series: Only Bad Options (#1) | Only Good Enemies (#2) | Only Hard Problems (#3)
Author: Jennifer Estep
Genre: Adult, sci-fi, fantasy
Publication date: October 29th 2024
Published by: Jennifer Estep
Source: eARC from the author for review
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Synopsis: A WOMAN WHO CAN’T CONTROL HER POWER . . .
Everyone knows the name Vesper Quill. I used to be a lowly lab rat working in a Regal-owned corporation, but thanks to my truebond with Kyrion Caldaren, I’m now one of the most wanted fugitives in the Archipelago Galaxy.
Kyrion and I have spent the last few weeks avoiding bounty hunters, along with the Arrows, the elite Imperium warriors tasked with capturing us. Now we’ve journeyed to a distant planet that’s supposed to be a refuge for truebonded couples, but when new enemies appear, we’re once again in grave danger.
As a seer, inventor, and engineer, I’m skilled at figuring out how things work, but I can’t quite understand my growing magic and newfound psionic abilities. The clock is ticking, and if I don’t figure out how to tap into my power, I’ll doom myself to a gruesome fate, along with Kyrion.
A MAN WHO CAN’T LET GO OF HIS FEAR . . .
As Kyrion Caldaren, I’m used to being respected and feared, especially given my telekinesis, telepathy, telempathy, and other powerful psionic abilities. What I’m not used to is being on the run, but as a rogue Arrow, I’ll do anything to protect Vesper.
Just when I think we’ve finally reached a safe haven, trouble finds us again, reigniting all my fears about losing Vesper.
When the cold depths of our enemies’ plan are finally revealed, the truth is more terrifying than anything I could imagine. Soon Vesper and I are fighting for our lives again, but even with our growing truebond power, this is one battle we might not survive.
It probably goes without saying, but I loved this book 😆
This book takes place only a few weeks after the last book, Only Hard Problems, but this book switches back to following Vesper and Kyrion as they finally arrive on Asterin's planet to lie low for a while. As we know, the leech Holloway still has a bounty out on the couple to capture them and bring them to him so he can siphon off magic from their Truebond. Ugh. I hate that guy. But I love that Asterin offered them refuge on her planet! This planet sounded gorgeous! I really liked getting to explore it, the little the characters did, because unfortunately for them, there might be trouble lurking on this planet too.
I was just so intrigued by everything as soon as they landed on the planet. There was some political intrigue and we met some interesting new characters, but we also got to spend a lot of time with Asterin herself and learn more about her and her family. I really enjoyed this because I have loved her character since we met her a couple books back. I particularly love her bickering with Zane, whom both her parents and his want her to marry... for political reasons, of course. But I'm hoping there's going to be more to it than that because I'm sensing an enemies-to-lovers situation here and honestly, I love it!
Speaking of Zane, I love him! I love his banter with Asterin and how he annoys and aggravates Kyrion 😆 But more than that, I love that underneath that mask of arrogance, there is a man who cares deeply for his family. His newfound sister included. We've seen glimpses behind that mask now and then, but we really got to know the real him—his feelings and motivations—in the last book, which was in his POV. Those rare moments where he lets the mask slip and is genuine and shows he cares are my absolute favorite! Those moments were some of my favorite things about this book in general! The banter and quipping at the end between him and Vesper was so heartwarming it almost made me cry! That was hands down my favorite scene of the entire book! I loved it so much!
And Zane's father, Vesper's father, Wendell seems like such a genuinely sweet and kind person. More heartwarming moments were had and I loved every second of it! I am still shocked at how Vesper's mother, Nerezza, managed to get her claws into Wendell because she is the complete opposite of him! She is a terrible person who could not care less about her own daughter. I am honestly stunned at her lack of humanity. She is horrible!
But enough of what a terrible mother and human being Nerezza is. Despite the terrible childhood Vesper had, she's strong and just a good human being. Or maybe it's because of it. But I love her! I've been really enjoying following both her and Kyrion in these books. This book in particular focused a lot on their Truebond because they've been having trouble accessing it easily and using their collective magic. Vesper in particular has had difficulty tapping into Kyrion’s psionic abilities through the bond. It was very interesting seeing them navigate and try to understand the bond now that they've accepted it. Especially with everything else that was going on around them externally! But it's a good thing they found refuge where they did because Asterin’s planet is very Truebond-friendly, which is why they were able to find refuge there even though they are wanted fugitives in the first place. While there, they found out some interesting information about bonds, which I also enjoyed learning about because I really like the mythos in this world!
Aside from the great worldbuilding, another thing I love about Jennifer Estep’s books is the amazing action scenes! I kid you not, they stress me out 😆 That's how good they are! They are engaging and tense and just really well done!
And another I like about her books is that while they may be part of a series, each book has a self-contained story and the end wraps up nicely with no huge cliffhangers. Obviously there are some loose threads here and there, but I like that the main story in each book wraps up.
I really enjoyed this, obviously 😆 The action was good, the banter was fun, and the story in general was intriguing. I love this world with its advanced technology and psychic abilities. But more than that, I love these characters and their complicated relationships with one another. The family drama with Vesper and her newfound family was one of my favorite things about this book! The ending was just so good—so heartwarming. I am very much looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Vesper and the Zimmers progresses in the next book, especially with Zane still being head of the Arrows who are hunting down Vesper and Kyrion 😬 He is in a very precarious position right now and I have a feeling things are going to get worse before they get better. But I can't wait to find out what happens next!
(Also, the way the bookcover matches my blog perfectly 🤩 It was meant to be 😆)
I was just so intrigued by everything as soon as they landed on the planet. There was some political intrigue and we met some interesting new characters, but we also got to spend a lot of time with Asterin herself and learn more about her and her family. I really enjoyed this because I have loved her character since we met her a couple books back. I particularly love her bickering with Zane, whom both her parents and his want her to marry... for political reasons, of course. But I'm hoping there's going to be more to it than that because I'm sensing an enemies-to-lovers situation here and honestly, I love it!
Speaking of Zane, I love him! I love his banter with Asterin and how he annoys and aggravates Kyrion 😆 But more than that, I love that underneath that mask of arrogance, there is a man who cares deeply for his family. His newfound sister included. We've seen glimpses behind that mask now and then, but we really got to know the real him—his feelings and motivations—in the last book, which was in his POV. Those rare moments where he lets the mask slip and is genuine and shows he cares are my absolute favorite! Those moments were some of my favorite things about this book in general! The banter and quipping at the end between him and Vesper was so heartwarming it almost made me cry! That was hands down my favorite scene of the entire book! I loved it so much!
And Zane's father, Vesper's father, Wendell seems like such a genuinely sweet and kind person. More heartwarming moments were had and I loved every second of it! I am still shocked at how Vesper's mother, Nerezza, managed to get her claws into Wendell because she is the complete opposite of him! She is a terrible person who could not care less about her own daughter. I am honestly stunned at her lack of humanity. She is horrible!
But enough of what a terrible mother and human being Nerezza is. Despite the terrible childhood Vesper had, she's strong and just a good human being. Or maybe it's because of it. But I love her! I've been really enjoying following both her and Kyrion in these books. This book in particular focused a lot on their Truebond because they've been having trouble accessing it easily and using their collective magic. Vesper in particular has had difficulty tapping into Kyrion’s psionic abilities through the bond. It was very interesting seeing them navigate and try to understand the bond now that they've accepted it. Especially with everything else that was going on around them externally! But it's a good thing they found refuge where they did because Asterin’s planet is very Truebond-friendly, which is why they were able to find refuge there even though they are wanted fugitives in the first place. While there, they found out some interesting information about bonds, which I also enjoyed learning about because I really like the mythos in this world!
Aside from the great worldbuilding, another thing I love about Jennifer Estep’s books is the amazing action scenes! I kid you not, they stress me out 😆 That's how good they are! They are engaging and tense and just really well done!
And another I like about her books is that while they may be part of a series, each book has a self-contained story and the end wraps up nicely with no huge cliffhangers. Obviously there are some loose threads here and there, but I like that the main story in each book wraps up.
I really enjoyed this, obviously 😆 The action was good, the banter was fun, and the story in general was intriguing. I love this world with its advanced technology and psychic abilities. But more than that, I love these characters and their complicated relationships with one another. The family drama with Vesper and her newfound family was one of my favorite things about this book! The ending was just so good—so heartwarming. I am very much looking forward to seeing how the relationship between Vesper and the Zimmers progresses in the next book, especially with Zane still being head of the Arrows who are hunting down Vesper and Kyrion 😬 He is in a very precarious position right now and I have a feeling things are going to get worse before they get better. But I can't wait to find out what happens next!
(Also, the way the bookcover matches my blog perfectly 🤩 It was meant to be 😆)
I really do need to read this author as all the books sound so good! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThank you! She is definitely one of my favorite authors!
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