Engineer Caro Ogunyemi infiltrates a high-tech prison to rescue two crewmates and a mind-controlled super soldier, Leviathan, whose deadly programming is disrupted by her touch, forcing them to team up for a chaotic escape while confronting her own past mistakes. Blending action, humor, and romance, the story explores themes of agency, redemption, and found family amid nonstop danger and the ethical fallout of technological experimentation.

Reader Review Summary

Set in a science fiction universe, the story follows Caro Ogunyemi, an engineer and member of the spaceship Calamity's crew, as she embarks on a solo mission to infiltrate a luxury prison planet run by the Pierce family. The plot centers on Caro's attempt to rescue two mercenary siblings, Victor and Victory, as well as Leviathan, a super soldier whose mind is controlled by a chip developed from Caro's own past research. When Caro's touch disables Leviathan's chip, he regains his agency, and together they must navigate the dangers of the prison, evade the Pierce family's machinations, and orchestrate a complex prison break. The narrative is primarily told from Caro's first-person perspective, with additional chapters from Victory's point of view, and features elements such as forced proximity, high-stakes action, and a developing romance between Caro and Leviathan. The setting is largely confined to the prison, with subplots involving sentient android GR81 and the ethical consequences of Caro's past work.

Readers highlighted the book's humor, fast-paced action, and engaging banter as standout features. Caro's inner monologue and her characterization as a brilliant but messy and non-traditional heroine were frequently praised, as was the dynamic between the Calamity crew and the new additions, Victor and Victory. The inclusion of GR81, a sentient android, was a particular favorite among many reviewers, who found his interactions with Caro both humorous and emotionally resonant. The high-stakes, heist-like plot and the balance between action and quieter moments were also appreciated, as was the emotional impact of the ending and the glimpses of found family dynamics. Several readers enjoyed the romance between Caro and Leviathan, noting the chemistry and the trope of 'her touch heals him,' and some found the multiple points of view added depth to the story.

Criticisms focused on the book's pacing, the clarity of the prison setting, and the development of the central romance. Multiple reviewers found the single-location plot repetitive and sometimes confusing, with difficulty visualizing the layout and movement within the prison. The romance was described by some as underdeveloped or too reliant on insta-love, with limited page time for Caro and Leviathan to build a believable connection. Some readers felt that Caro's decision-making was inconsistent or implausible, and that her characterization as both a genius and a klutz stretched credibility. The shift away from the full Calamity crew and the focus on a smaller group was noted as a drawback by fans of the series' found family aspect. Additionally, some found the Victory point-of-view chapters distracting or primarily serving as setup for future books, and a few mentioned that the book's action-heavy approach left little room for deeper relationship development or world-building.

The book is the third entry in the Uncharted Hearts series and can be read as a standalone, though several reviewers recommended reading the series in order for full context. The narrative includes elements such as mind control, cyborgs, forced proximity, and space travel, with content warnings for violence, manipulation, and non-consensual bodily modification. The story is told in first-person present tense, with some chapters from additional perspectives. The book contains moderate romantic 'spice,' with most intimate scenes occurring in the latter half. The ending resolves the main plot and sets up future installments, with hints at which characters may be featured next. The series is noted for its blend of science fiction, romance, and action, and the author’s writing style is frequently described as humorous and engaging.