Crisis

Invictus #2

by Rachel Neumeier

No plan ever survives contact with the enemy.
Especially when you aren't sure which side is your enemy.

Now that everyone's secret plans have been revealed, Sevastien suddenly finds that he has to reassess everything he knows about his enemies ... and his friends.

Genres: Science Fiction, Romance

445 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2023

About the author

Rachel Neumeier started writing fiction to relax when she was a graduate student and needed a hobby unrelated to her research. Prior to selling her first fantasy novel, she had published only a few articles in venues such as The American Journal of Botany. However, finding that her interests did not lie in research, Rachel left academia and began to let her hobbies take over her life instead.

She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition.

Reviews

[Taya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first one was so good and then this was just political maneuvering without all of the wonderful character development and moments that I loved about the first one. I barely made it through this and it only gets three stars because the first one was so good!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

BookTwo in the Invictus Duology.

That was a really satisfying conclusion! I was kind of worried about how things would end up; the plot was so complex and convoluted. Just like the first book this is mainly a character-driven tale. There's some action, but it's mostly political maneuvering, factions butting heads, conflicting loyalties, trust & mistrust, and morality dilemmas.

The story is told from two different points of view: Sevastien one zero two four from the genetically engineered race, the Ubez, and Ila, captain of the Elysian/human destroyer Invictus. These two characters- along with a fully fleshed supporting cast- have to navigate through an increasingly hostile situation and learn to trust.

Friendship and trust are both recurring themes found in every book of the author's that I've read. If you haven't read the Tuyo series I highly recommend it. This was an excellent pair of books. At this point I'll get around to reading everything she's written since I haven't been disappointed in her work yet!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think I’m biased because I want Silver Circle; this was fine. Competent, as always. Just not my cup of tea.

I’m not sure I appreciate the distinction between sci-fi and fantasy in Neumeier’s work. I don’t tend to like sci-fi, but the beginning of this really worked for me. The worldbuilding is pretty fabulous, the writing is strong, the tension is powerful.

But then it started to progress and the progression didn’t feel consistent: it hinged on a character shift and on a lot of coincidences. There’s a long, real ending (not always a given) but the ending grows out of those quick political shifts, and it happened so quickly that I just didn’t buy into it. I’m sad for the team! I wanted to see much more of them! The ending communicates “this is a victory”, but it felt extremely bittersweet to me. And uncertain. That uncertainty is the foundation of the book’s conflict; I don’t think its presence conveys a happy ending…

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable conclusion to the duet of books. The writing has a particular understated style which I liked, but may not be for everyone. A large part of the book seems to be people talking or thinking and planning. There is intense action at some points, but most of it is the planning and rumination. Perhaps because of this, it started to drag a little for me, around the 60% mark, so I took a break. But once I picked it up again, I got hooked back into Ila and Sevastien's outrageous plans (for the common good), and read it through to the end quite quickly. The ending was very satisfying.

A recommended read for those who enjoy sci-fi and also the cut-and-thrust of politics and tactical strategising.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2023/1...

This is the second half of the story started in Invictus: Captive, and I kind of wish I'd waited to read that one so I had read the story as a whole, since a lot of the details/characters were hazy. But I remembered the major stuff, and soon the plot was moving quickly enough, and involving new characters, that it didn’t even matter. (I will at some point reread both these books and think that'll be an awesome time.) This has sort of similar themes to the author's Tuyo, but sci-fi, and honestly I’m not mad about it. Great characterization, interesting outer space diplomacy and politics, some funny parts, totally enjoyable. A/A-.

[Yasaman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun space opera/almost mil SF read, but I gotta say, the set up, character dynamics, and power dynamics had so much potential to be more emotionally, romantically, and yes, even sexually interesting. I respect that Neumeier clearly isn't interested in that angle! I get the vibe here, all the deliberate military formality and rigid hierarchies, and I do respect that these characters have VERY IMPORTANT MISSIONS and correctly put their personal shit on lock down. I also thought the world building/setting was neat.

But like. where my perverts at. there was so much potential for weird and sexy stuff to happen in these two books, and then it NEVER DID, lol.

[Hank · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was dissapointing to say the least. The first novel in this duology felt fresh, unique, complex and intriguing. Crisis was both mind numbingly repetitive and over complex if that is possible. Neumeier went on for pages if not actual chapters, saying nothing.

I fell in love with her Mary Sue take on Brave New World with all the complex emotions and loyalties and then promptly out again after nothing new happened. Grab inner thoughts dialogue, cut and paste and voila, a duology.

I was going to read Tuyo but am having second thoughts

[Kyri Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked these books. Through all the various plots and machinations, none of them relied on a main character being stupid, which was refreshing. The world and ideas were original -- I really don't see the "genetically designed varieties of humans" idea very much outside of CJ Cherryh's Cyteen, which clearly was an influence on this -- and overall the duology was a pleasant read.

The flaw of the books is that they're too talky, with a minimum of action (despite the plotline) and a maximum of explanation and people talking about everything at great length.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic conclusion

This was an incredibly fraught read and I ended up reading through the night because there was no good stopping place: so much tension, so much factional drama, so much political wrangling! These are phenomenal characters doing their best in the most frustrating circumstances. I hope for other books in this universe because it's well designed with plenty of room to grow.

[louisa dyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

that was disappointing - first book kept me going non stop but this one? could barely read it & finally just skipped pages & pages to find out the ending. NOTHING was explained, just referenced as a fait accompli & action was all too convenient, over & over, like Deus Ex Machina on steroids, yet oh so predictable . I wish there were half stars because this isn't really a 3 but a bit better than 2.

[Bandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent: complex & believable Sci-fi

Wonderful, complex, believable characters, along with awesome universe-building.
I have stayed up way too late for several nights in a row, to get to the end.
I would relish other books and stories in this universe along with a catch-up with Nayln and Syova (please?)!

[Deborah Meghnagi Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling and sympathetic

Rachel Neumeier seems to write the opposite of grimdark. Whether fantasy or SF, she builds fascinating cultures, sympathetic characters, and plots with suspense. Her world's are always peopled with enough characters of integrity that a positive outcome is possible.

I really enjoyed this duology.

[Catmoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust? Risk?

Two people approach an endgame. If they can trust one another, the outcome may be good. If not, catastrophe is inevitable. So where does risk shade into absolute trust?

[Aestarii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invictus is another Neumeir masterpiece…

I could not put either volume down and am absolutely looking forward to any future work. I believe at this point I have read everything she has written.

[Anna]

Satisfying if long conclusion to this duology. If you cross SNW’s Una with an Aral
Vorkosigan who refused to subjugate Komarr, you might get Nalyn Ila. She’s impressive, if a bit of a paragon.
Svoya is adorable, which is a weird thing to call a deep cover combat specialist, I know.

[Jencat · Rating 5 out of 5]

very satisfying conclusion

this book picks up right after the ending of captive. It was so good. all the tangled plots and counter plots are revealled;

[Nicole Luiken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two/second half of the story. Desperate gambles and uneasy alliances make for enjoyable space opera.

[Becca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost didn't finish this one either. Success felt too certain, plus the characters still only ever talk and think about strategy and I don't feel like I know them as people.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this, definitely more plot-heavy and politics, only a little action. Romance is probably like 5% of this series.

[Evenstar Deane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second half of the story and I’m glad we only had to wait a month for the release! I still re-read the first book before starting this one to have everything fresh in my head. There is more action in this book, a lot more political sides introduced, and an intriguing use of the new technology, but the characters continue to drive the story.

Syova and Ilya reverse roles at the very beginning, he’s no longer her captive and she has to trust that he’ll do what’s best for everyone. We get more of her point of view and see how cleverly she plays politics, how long she has been preparing, and how easily it could all fall apart. Syova later gets to be clever to save Ilya, with brilliant help from the (former) security officer, Chatham. The minor characters are a lot of fun, I especially like Dr. Hale and Syova’s team leader Maateo. Everything fits together for a very satisfying resolution.

[Dr susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Excellent sci fi thriller with a little romance

I had no idea how Neumeier was going to resolve the tangle from Captive, but she did it brilliantly without slaughtering named characters or destroying entire civilizations. There is some graphic violence. But diplomacy, plotting, friendship, and high stakes are at the core of Crisis. I laughed and cried and fell even more in love with these characters (Hale is amazing). And I'm thrilled Neumeier is planning another book in this universe, featuring some of the supporting characters (because I love Erec and Syavo's sneaky teammates). Invictus is the kind of science fiction I love to read over and over, so I will be buying both books after reading them in KU.

[Ay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Book 1 first.

SO GOOD

MORE PLEASE