Too often in science fiction and fantasy, violence is largely perpetrated without consequence. Another thing I loved about this one is how violence is not seen as a panacea. In the midst of that, Skrutskie also manages to introduce a good deal of world building and relevant history. All this happens by about the tenth page, which is an impressive feat. Those two characters are easy to love and we instantly care about them, their concerns, and what is going to happen to them. We’re thrown into the action, but just as quickly we’re introduced to the two main characters - best friends and roommates - through the action. From the first moments of the novel it’s obvious that Skrutskie isn’t waiting around. There were just enough moments to catch your breath for the fast-paced action to feel natural. The pacing, in particular, was excellent. There are plenty of things worth praising in Skrutskie’s novel. It’s easy to love the two main characters, and the story pulls you along making it difficult to put the book down. It’s one part coming of age story, one part military sci-fi, and one part YA romance. We’re introduced to two fighter-pilots-in-training one of whom turns out to be the heir to the throne of an evil space empire. Ettian barely manages to save his best friend and flee the compromised academy unscathed, rattled that Gal stands to inherit the empire that broke him, and that there are still people willing to fight back against Umber rule.Īs they piece together a way to deliver Gal safely to his throne, Ettian finds himself torn in half by an impossible choice.Emily Skrutskie’s Bonds of Brass is a fast-paced YA space opera with plenty to love. Even better, he’s met Gal-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. “An exciting space opera full of action and adventure that explores the bonds of loyalty and love, and what happens when they are stretched to their limits.”-Rebecca Roanhorse, Nebula and Hugo award–winning author of Trail of LightningĮttian’s life was shattered when the merciless Umber Empire invaded his world.

A young pilot risks everything to save his best friend-the man he trusts most and might even love-only to learn that his friend is secretly the heir to a brutal galactic empire.

Bonds of Brass by Emily Skrutskie