Name: Wes Michaud's review of City of Shattered Light by Claire Winn
Item: City of Shattered Light
Rating: 5
Author: Wes Michaud

Claire Winn

In this YA sci-fi, an heiress flees her controlling father to prevent her test-subject sister's mind from being reprogrammed--but must ally with a smuggler to outwit a monstrous AI, gravity-shifting gladiatorial pits, and bloodthirsty criminal matriarchs to save her sister and their city.

City of Shattered Light

Torrey

Wes Michaud

( I listened to the audio book of this so i will also be talking about to narrator's performance) 
THIS BOOK!!!! I loved this book the writing was immersive and the story really sucked me in the description of the world really made to feel like you were there the characters were lovable (well most of them anyway) it safe to say Riven is my favorite based on the fact that i spent most of this book thirsting over her. I can't wait for the sequel because I need more of this story and characters. 
THE NARRATION if you know me it’s no secret that I love Sarah Beth Pfeifer's work and her narration of this book is no different it was great her voice is beautiful and was perfect for the story and the Talent she has for giving each charter a unique voice is amazing  and really helped immerse me into the book the combination of her voice and the writing really made the reading experience amazing and I just loved the reading experience 10 times more because of it

( I listened to the audio book of this so i will also be talking about to narrator's performance)

THIS BOOK!!!! I loved this book the writing was immersive and the story really sucked in in the description of the world really made to feel like you were their the characters were lovable (well most of them anyway) it safe to say Riven is my favorite based on the fact the i spent most of this book thirsting over her. I can't wait for the sequel because I need more of this story and characters.

THE NARRATION if you know me it no secret the I love Sarah Beth Pfeifer's work and her narration of this book is no different it was great her voice is beautiful and was perfect for the story and the Talent she has for giving each charter a unique voice is amazing and really helped immerse me into the book the combination of her voice and the writing really made the reading experience amazing and I just loved the reading experience 10 times more because of it

( I listened to the audio book of this so i will also be talking about to narrator's performance)
THIS BOOK!!!! I loved this book the writing was immersive and the story really sucked in in the description of the world really made to feel like you were their the characters were lovable (well most of them anyway) it safe to say Riven is my favorite based on the fact the i spent most of this book thirsting over her. I can't wait for the sequel because I need more of this story and characters.
THE NARRATION if you know me it no secret the I love Sarah Beth Pfeifer's work and her narration of this book is no different it was great her voice is beautiful and was perfect for the story and the Talent she has for giving each charter a unique voice is amazing and really helped immerse me into the book the combination of her voice and the writing really made the reading experience amazing and I just loved the reading experience 10 times more because of it

Dilayra Verbrugh

First of all: the book is as good as the beautiful cover. This is a great sapphic book! Found family, perfect bisexual rep and sci-fi, what more do you need? The writing style is fast which makes you want to keep reading this book!
The author is a sweetheart 🥰 but she did RIP my heart out only to put it back together 🥲 I’m still emotionally destroyed (in a good way!!) 
If you’re doubting to get this book, please don’t and just get it!

Lu Kluck

This ARC was provided to me by Book Forward Friends through the Netgalley website, thank you so much!

The following review can also be found in my blog, Luie's Digital Bookshelf

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 5/5⭐
𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 - 4/5⭐
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 - 4.5/5⭐
𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - 5/5⭐
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝-𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 5/5⭐
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Blood, Death, Murder, Drugs (sedatives), Vomiting, Guilt, Kidnapping, Loss of a Loved One, Toxic Relationship, Mind Control (loss of autonomy), Narcissistic Behavior, Prostitution (mentioned), Terminal Illness, Psychological Torture, Gun Violence.

Asa is the heiress to a powerful tech empire, and her sister Kaya is one of the prime test subjects. But when their father uploads Kaya's mind into an experimental brain as a part of the mysterious Project Winterdark, Asa must run from the only life she's ever known with her sister's mind in tow and a dangerous virus-like A.I. on her trail. After her ship crash-lands in Requiem, she comes face to face with Riven, a gun-slinging smuggler whose problems might just get solved by the bounty placed on the runaway heiress. However, to save Asa's sister and the city of Requiem, they have to form a shaky alliance. And between fighting the powerful Luca Almeida and running from the rogue A.I., that might not be enough.

“You know the adage about how bad things always happen to good people?” Riven opened the door, unleashing a flood of jarring bass. The gemstone skull on her face glimmered under the galaxy of colored lights. “I figure we’re safe”

The first thing I noticed about this book was the stunning and glaringly sapphic cover. And when I went on to read the synopsis, I found exactly what I've been looking for: a cyberpunk-inspired sci-fi novel full of betrayal, action, cybernetics, and representation. City of Shattered Light is a novel full of LGBTQIA+ characters, their identities weren't the main focus of the book, but the diversity was there regardless.

This novel had an immersive and memorable writing style. I repeatedly lost myself in the bright and vivid descriptions of Requiem's chaotic and neon-charged streets, 'the city of shattered light' is described as this beautifully decadent place, a colorful but treacherous place. The futuristic setting was also striking, with the relevant details presented and no overwhelming info dumps. This book's world-building was inspired by the cyberpunk subgenre, with unrivaled technological advancements, such as cybernetics and interstellar travel, accompanied by the collapse of societal norms, especially in Requiem.

“Right now, she was part of one of the galaxy’s biggest crime syndicates—a thief, a runaway, a liar. She was a nobody. And she fit right in.”

With its fast-paced, action-packed plot, this novel is impossible to put down. The story is engaging and filled with betrayal, the action/fight scenes are breathtaking, and the central conflict is elaborate and enigmatic. Nonetheless, the plot twist wasn't as surprising as I would have hoped, it was simply a good but expected turn of events, and despite discussing class and privilege in passing, this novel could have focused more on that aspect of the plot. The cliffhanger, however, was a somewhat unexpected and heartbreaking revelation.

The protagonists of this novel (Asa and Riven) were complex and interesting. With their backstories and motivations well-explored and described, they had depth and went through a meaningful character arc. The side characters, however, lacked said depth and development. They fell flat compared to the protagonists, which had introspective and profoundly significant moments through their perspectives in the story. When it comes to the romance present in the novel, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. It was subtle but satisfying, realistic, and meaningful.

••••••••••••••••••••••••📜••••••••••••••••••••••••
Recommended for: Lovers of Cyberpunk & Sci-fi, LGBTQ+ Representation, Well-Written Love-Triangles.

Jude Silberfeld

City of Shattered Light is Claire Winn’s debut novel, a pretty exciting and promising debut. It’s longer than many books I’ve read lately but I read it in a couple of days, I didn’t want to put it down.

Asanna Almeida is the heir to her father’s tech company. All she’s ever known is her sheltered life on Cortellion with her beloved sister Kaya. When it becomes clear that her father is pushing the experiments on Kaya’s brain too far, the sisters plan their escape. On Cortellion’s moon Requiem, Riven Hawthorne is a smuggler trying to build up a reputation so she can protect her crew. The (former) rich girl and the outlaw and her friends join forces when a murderous A.I. creates chaos all around them.

It took a few pages to get used to this world but it was surprisingly easy. Claire Winn drops the reader in the middle of the action right from the start and never lets go, not giving her characters or the readers much time to catch their breath. One of the chapters is titled “Prison, Again”, and it’s a good summary of everything Asa, Riven, and the crew go through while trying to save Kaya and the people of Requiem. Whenever they think they finally made it, something happens to hold them back.

I have conflicting feelings about this book, though mostly positive ones. I enjoyed reading it, letting myself get carried away in a breathless adventure. As I wrote above, I read it pretty quickly yet felt it dragging a little at times. I liked the characters, even if Riven isn’t completely consistent and the rest of the crew – except sweet Ty, who is close to being a third MC – could be more developed. Also, I’m not sure why they’re all so young. The main characters are seventeen and eighteen. It doesn’t feel right all the time, there are moments in the story where it seemed they should have been closer to twenty-five. It doesn’t really matter but I wonder why the author chose to write them so young. It seems really gory for a YA novel.

That said, I liked the deeper questions the story asks: Who can you trust? Is it wrong to be trusting? Are you responsible for a terrible event your work made possible if you didn’t know anything about it? It’s all about lessons learned and growing as a individual and as part of a team.

Since City of Shattered Light (I like this title a lot) is a YA novel, the romance – a bisexual love triangle – is there but on the light side. It’s not the main focus of the action, which is saving Asa’s sister and the world at the same time.

The epilogue leaves the door open to a sequel, and I’m looking forward to it. And if you’re curious to see what the characters look like, the author introduces them in this Twitter thread (and here for Riven).

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Esther

trust in analog tech and your own skills, also never take candy for a stranger!
an exhilarating hight-tech sci-fi adventure.

Her anger strained against her self-imposed restraints. Speak softly and carry two guns. She had zero guns and was losing her will to speak softly."The plan is . . " Samir held Verdugo parallel to his head. "To have a plan within the next thirty seconds."

Paige Green

Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.

Book: City of Shattered Light

Author: Claire Winn

Book Series: Standalone

Rating: 3.5/5

Diversity: M/M romance side characters, bisexual foster child MC, bisexual MC

Recommended For...: young adult readers, science fiction, heist

Publication Date: October 19, 2021

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Recommended Age: 13+ (sexual innuendos, violence, gore, death, language, romance)

Explanation of CWs: Some sexual innuendos are here and there. The book is full of gore and violence. There are a few “bad” words used here and there. The romance is sweet, but small.

Publisher: Flux

Pages: 400

Synopsis: As darkness closes in on the city of shattered light, an heiress and an outlaw must decide whether to fend for themselves or fight for each other.

As heiress to a powerful tech empire, seventeen-year-old Asa Almeida strives to prove she's more than her manipulative father's shadow. But when he uploads her rebellious sister’s mind to an experimental brain, Asa will do anything to save her sister from reprogramming—including fleeing her predetermined future with her sister’s digitized mind in tow. With a bounty on her head and a rogue A.I. hunting her, Asa’s getaway ship crash-lands in the worst possible place: the neon-drenched outlaw paradise, Requiem.

Gun-slinging smuggler Riven Hawthorne is determined to claw her way up Requiem’s underworld hierarchy. A runaway rich girl is exactly the bounty Riven needs—until a nasty computer virus spreads in Asa’s wake, causing a citywide blackout and tech quarantine. To get the payout for Asa and save Requiem from the monster in its circuits, Riven must team up with her captive.

Riven breaks skulls the way Asa breaks circuits, but their opponent is unlike anything they’ve ever seen. The A.I. exploits the girls’ darkest memories and deepest secrets, threatening to shatter the fragile alliance they’re both depending on. As one of Requiem’s 154-hour nights grows darker, the girls must decide whether to fend for themselves or fight for each other before Riven’s city and Asa’s sister are snuffed out forever.

Review: For the most part I liked the book. It had good action and character development. I appreciated the bisexual rep, even though I wanted more of it in the book and had to wait until 40% in to get to the rep. The book was well plotted and I loved how well timed this book was in the wake of kidney-gate in the book community (joking, there is organ selling/kidnapping in this book). The book also did well to switch gender norms. The two leads were the captain and the mechanic respectively and those are roles that media typically shows men in. The book also let a man get kidnapped multiple times, making him the damsel in distress instead of the female identifying people.

The only issues I had with this book is that the book had an incredibly slow and confusing start. The book takes a bit to explain what’s going on and it felt like I spent most of the book playing catch up. The world building could have been better as well.

Verdict: It was good.

Samantha Bass

Check out my full review on my blog We Write at Dawn!

Personally, I loved the plot and the plot progression of this book. Asa's motivation being to save her sister and only friend. Riven's to save herself and her team from certain death and the loss of several organs. Teaming up together to take down Asa's father and the evil scientist, Gabriel Almeida, while evading others who mean to take Asa down.

One thing that I wasn't a fan of though was how Asa and Riven's relationship develops. For the majority of the book, Asa is with Ty and is falling for him, while glancing at Riven and noting how attractive she was. I'm not a fan of the instant love trope, and I felt like Asa and Riven fit in that. Even though Asa and Riven don't end up together until the end, this book is marketed as having a sapphic relationship, and I definitely wanted to see more of their relationship development over Asa and Ty. They go through the whole book pining for each other while Asa is with Ty, only to finally snap into place together at the last minute. I would much rather keep the pining and enemies to lovers aspect of the book, but get rid of Asa's relationship with Ty. Or at least shorten it.

Overall, I loved the plot and the idea behind this story! And while I'm not a fan of the relationship progression timeline, I did love the pining between Asa and Riven. I read this book so quickly I couldn't put it down. Definitely a new favorite sci-fi for me!

Denise

Thank you NetGalley and North Star Editions/Flux for the e-arc!

3,5 stars
I was really excited to be able to read this book. Sapphic sci-fi is right up my alley and this could have been perfect. Unfortunately City of shattered light wasn’t able to hold my attention.

I forced my way through a lot of this book. It’s very plot heavy, however, the plot is very repetitive and mostly consists of heists and then the escapes. 75% of this just felt like them trying to escape and seemingly impossible situation. It’s almost pure action. It went from one action packed sequence to the next with barely any time to settle. Added to that, even with all the sci-fi elements at their disposal, it ended up being kind of repetitive.
The plot itself also was kind of predictable, which ended up taking a lot of the intensity and excitement away for me. 

Even though love triangles are a trope I can’t stand, this had the potential to be a great one as all the characters involved were glorious. Unfortunately, through all the action we aren’t given a lot of character moments which also didn’t allow any of the relationships to breath. I felt sparks on every side and but sometimes they were just out of reach and not entirely developed, which ended up making them fall flat. It ended up lessening the tension between the final couple. 
I loved Asa and Ty together. They work brilliantly. However, I would have enjoyed the relationships more if Ty remained a friend to Asa throughout the story, without the romantic and sexual tension. It complicated things too much and through all the action there just wasn’t the time to make it work. Either that or take away the tension between Riven and Asa for a while. It all just lacked a little time. 

The world has a lot of potential but it isn’t fleshed out enough. I just know the basics of this world, and aspects like its culture are severely lacking. If this was your first sci-fi story, you would have been very lost. The world is beautifully described and I know exactly what it looks like, but everything else is on the surface level. Maybe the next book would fix that, but for just this one it isn’t quite enough. 

I want to end this with the best aspect of the book: the characters. All of the main crew were so lovable! I think there will be something for everyone. They all compliment each other brilliantly and in the few character moments we have we see their dynamics bounce off each other in many fun ways. 
Ty is my absolute favorite. But who am I kidding, I love them all. Asa, Riven, Diego and Samir were all glorious! It was fun following them along and I absorbed every piece of their character that we got. 

This was kind of a harsh review, but I want to make clear that this wasn’t a bad book either. It just wasn’t anything special and didn’t give me anything. It was just fine.

Khushi Saini

Wow. I normally don't read much science fiction, but this book convinced me that I have to read more, especially if Claire Winn is writing it. City of Shattered Light is a cyberpunk YA science fiction novel that is fast-paced, immersive, and queer as hell! The characters are unforgettable and distinct although introduced rather quickly in the first few chapters. But it was not difficult at all to separate them. And they were all incredibly layered with their personal flaws and strengths. The banter and dialogue was amazing as well. The secondary characters were just as precious as the main two characters (Asa and Riven) and I hope to see more of them in upcoming sequels.

The setting and plot is incredible, unlike anything I have ever read before, and the speed at which the plot thickens and turns had me turning the pages so quickly just to find out what happens next that I had to force myself to slow down. Let me tell you that the disappointing factor is that the book ENDED. PLEASE GIVE ME MORE! There is a twist that I actually saw coming that was so obviously predictable but it didn't take away from the shininess that is City of Shattered Light as a whole. If you love found family and heist tropes into one as well reluctant acquaintances/allies to lovers and all of that happening IN SPACE ON SPACESHIPS, AND sapphic and gay couples, this is the one for you.

And yes, this book will be part of a series and an event that happens at the end of the book clearly indicated such while tugging at my heart strings and making eager grabby hands for the next book. 

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Karli P

Thank you to netgalley and North Star Editions/Flux for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review 

When I first started this book the writing style took me a little while to get used to, but once I got invested, I got INVESTED

This book was so FUN. The characters were easy to connect to (Riven was my favorite, love her) and the plot/plot twists had me speeding through to find out where everyone would end up

I also thought the heists were super fun to follow, it's always great to see how characters get out of a situation when their plans get all messed up. 

I am a sucker for ragtag crew/found family as well so this book was right up my alley. 

I have mixed feelings on the romance in the book, not because I thought it was bad, and not because there was a love triangle, but the pacing of them just kind of felt strange. This wasn't the case with every romantic scene, but there were a couple where I was like "Isn't there something else you should be focusing on right now?" 

Overall though I loved this book, I do highly recommend it to anyone looking for sci fi with romance, found families, and crime (these are a few of my favorite things)

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City of Shattered Light by Claire Winn

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