A brilliant but non-magical science prodigy, Morgan Enni, is recruited by rebels after her groundbreaking research threatens the fragile power of the Stavenger Empire, forcing her to navigate political intrigue, personal secrets, and the complexities of found family and asexual identity. Blending fast-paced space adventure with thoughtful exploration of queer relationships and power structures, the story expands a richly built universe inspired by Arthurian myth and North Atlantic history.

Reader Review Summary

Set in the same universe as Aetherbound, this young adult queer science fantasy novel follows Morgan Enni, a science prodigy at a university dominated by mage-scientists. Notably lacking magical ability herself, Morgan is driven to prove her worth through groundbreaking research that could disrupt the lives of aetherworkers and destabilize the already fragile Stavenger Empire. Her work eventually attracts the attention of a group of rebels, who hope her discoveries can aid their cause. The narrative weaves together elements of Arthurian myth, North Atlantic fisheries history, and space fantasy, featuring a fast-paced, multi-POV structure and a focus on both political intrigue and personal growth. The book is described as character-driven, with a strong emphasis on Morgan’s scientific mindset, her asexual identity, and her evolving relationships with both new and returning characters from the series.

Readers appreciated the book’s fast pacing and propulsive prose, which made it easy to read in a short time. Morgan’s character, particularly her scientific focus, awkwardness, and asexual (Aspec) identity, resonated with many, who also noted the positive representation of queer and neurodivergent identities. The depiction of non-traditional relationships, such as a possible queerplatonic partnership, was highlighted as important for teen readers. Several reviewers enjoyed the expanded worldbuilding, the balance of political drama and emotional growth, and the return of characters from Aetherbound. The book’s blend of science fiction and fantasy elements, as well as its Star Wars-like atmosphere, were also cited as strengths. Some readers found the humor and the portrayal of various family structures to be engaging, and the action-packed ending was noted as a highlight.

A common criticism was the book’s reliance on knowledge from Aetherbound, with many readers finding it difficult to follow the worldbuilding, character backgrounds, and stakes without having read the previous book. Some felt the side characters were underdeveloped, possibly due to their arcs being established in the first installment. The pacing, while generally fast, was described as choppy by some, with a slow start and a rushed conclusion where major plot points were resolved quickly. Several reviewers mentioned info-dumping, particularly in the third part, which made it challenging to stay engaged. A few readers found the characters flat or the twists predictable, and at least one reader did not finish the book due to lack of engagement.

The book is scheduled for publication on July 22, 2025, and has received an average rating of 4.06 out of 5 from 32 ratings and 14 full reviews. While the publisher does not explicitly market it as a sequel, many reviewers recommend reading Aetherbound first for a fuller understanding. The novel is categorized under young adult, science fiction, LGBT, queer, space, and science fiction fantasy genres. The story is noted for its detailed worldbuilding, exploration of different family dynamics, and its approach to asexual and queer representation. Some readers expressed interest in future installments, and the book’s open-ended conclusion leaves room for further development in the series.